The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) will be framing guidelines to keep a check on air pollution arising out of hot-mix plants operating across the State, which prepare hot bitumen mix for laying roads.

The TNPCB would be conducting an aerial survey this month and eventually complete the framing of guidelines governing these units, it has informed the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) Southern Bench here.

Norms violated

During the hearing of an application, which sought to seal seven hot mix plants near Sriperumbudur, which were closed down by the Board for violating norms but continued to operate clandestinely at night, the Bench comprising Justice P. Jyothimani and expert member P.S. Rao said, “We make it clear that the Board shall monitor the functioning of these units during day and night time.”

In February, the NGT was informed that no guidelines were in place to monitor the functioning of these units.

The Bench then directed the Board to “immediately take up this issue and frame guidelines stipulating conditions in respect of hot-mix units taking into consideration the environment and other aspects expeditiously…”

When it was brought to the notice of the Board that Corporation of Chennai and the Highways Department had given work orders to these units for supplying hot mix, the NGT directed them to ensure that the units had valid consent from the Board before work orders.