NOIDA: Taking serious note of noise and air pollution in Noida, the National Green Tribunal on Thursday ordered industries to phase out old diesel-run generators that do not have proper acoustic enclosures within two weeks. Many industries operating without proper pollution control devices have been ordered for closure.
The tribunal has also ordered the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to report industries causing air pollution through adulterated or inferior quality fuel to the authority dealing with essential commodities orders. Noida Authority has been asked to implement a scientific solid waste management system apart from checking pollution arising from construction activities.
A bench of the tribunal, headed by Justice VR Kingaonkar, passed the orders based upon a report of an expert committee constituted to study the 'causes' and 'extent' of pollution in Noida. Both UPPCB and Noida Authority have been directed to submit action-taken reports before the next date of hearing.
The committee had highlighted in its report that a number of generator sets without acoustic enclosures and with low chimney heights are responsible for pollution in Noida.
Industries ordered for shutdown are located in Phase I, II and III and engaged in electroplating, phosphating and metal surface treatment. These industries lack proper fume collection systems and pollution abatement measures like 'scrubbers' which are essential to improve ambient air quality.
