NGT Panel Identifies Environmental Compliance Gaps at ACC Cement Plant in Himachal Pradesh

                Bilaspur: A joint committee of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has identified environmental compliance lapses at Adani Group's ACC Limited cement plant in Barmana, Himachal 
Pradesh, raising concerns over air pollution in the region.
In its report to the tribunal, this committee of Bilaspur subdivisional magistrate (SDM) Abhishek Garg, Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) regional officer 
Pawan Sharma, and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) scientist Narender Sharma has outlined deficiencies in the plant's environmental safeguards after inspecting the unit on 
Jan 18.
The committee observed dust emissions from clinker, ash, and cement silos, as well as inadequate measures to prevent accidental discharges, despite directives from the HPSPCB. 
While metal sheets and nets were installed near a complainant's residence to mitigate dust, their height was deemed insufficient for effective control. Even though the plant has 
implemented a truck wheel washing system at the exit point to prevent dust dispersion, it lacks a mechanism to remove oil and grease from wastewater before recycling it for washing 
purposes. Additionally, the committee noted the absence of a mandated three-layer tree plantation system to counter air and noise pollution.
The report acknowledged the installation of 111 air pollution control devices, including 109 bag filters and two electrostatic precipitators, aimed at capturing dust generated during 
production. The report highlighted that the ACC cement plant has faced seven complaints over the past three years. In April 2022, the HPSPCB imposed an environmental 
compensation of ₹1.29 crore on the company for air pollution and untreated wastewater discharge, a penalty that ACC has since paid. A previous ruling in 2015 saw the NGT impose 
a ₹50 lakh fine on ACC for similar environmental violations in Barmana.
At the time of inspection, the plant was undergoing an annual maintenance shutdown and operating at only 25% capacity, with mining and crushing activities halted. The committee 
has requested an additional eight weeks to conduct a follow-up inspection when the plant is fully operational. The NGT initiated the investigation following a petition by Kashmir 
Thakur, a Barmana resident, who alleged that airborne dust from the plant was contaminating roads, pathways, and residential areas. The petitioner also claimed that ACC Limited had 
failed to manage emissions effectively despite years of operation. The tribunal is expected to review the findings in the coming weeks.
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Key findings at Barmana
>> Dust emissions | From clinker, ash, and cement silos, contaminating roads, pathways, and residential areas
>> Accidental discharge prevention | Inadequate despite directives from the HPSPCB
>> Dust control | Metal sheets and nets installed near residential area are of insufficient height
>> Truck wheel washing system | Exit-point dust dispersion measure doesn't remove oil and grease from wastewater before recycling it for washing purposes
>> 3-layer tree plantation system | Absent despite being mandated to counter air and noise pollution
>> 111 air pollution control devices | 109 bag filters and two electrostatic precipitators, capturing dust generated during production
>> Complaints | Seven over the past three years
>> Environmental compensation | Rs 1.29 crore, imposed on ACC in April 2022, for air pollution and untreated wastewater
>> Fine | Rs 50 lakh, imposed on ACC by the NGT in 2015
>> Current operating capacity | Only 25% at the time of inspection due to annual maintenance shutdown

Source : Times of India