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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Northern Coalfields to pay a compensation of Rs 10 crore. The court imposed this penalty on Northern Coalfields for dumping huge quantities of coal being done on its land. The site of coal dumping is near Krishnashila railway siding in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh.
The NGT has imposed this penalty for dumping large amounts of coal, with around three lakh tons dumped, of which only 50% has been mined. The court has said that such unscientific storage not only pollutes the air but also pollutes ground and surface water, posing a threat to public health.
To account for the cost of restoration, transactions and billing, the NGT has set this compensation. NCL can deposit the compensation of Rs 10 crore with the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and must prepare an action plan for environmental restoration. This plan includes proper storage and handling of coal, dust control measures, and its treatment within the stipulated time.
A joint committee consisting of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the State Pollution Control Board, the Sonbhadra District Magistrate and the Forest Department has been asked to prepare a plan within two months to reduce air pollution and ensure proper storage and handling coal If additional funds are required for restoration, NCL will be responsible for payment.
The NGT order comes after the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board submitted a report on March 25, 2023, stating that there are 1,29,236.85 metric tons of coal still at the site. Google satellite images did not show any coal spills in 2017 at the Krishnashila railway siding, but two small patches were observed in 2018, increasing continuously until 2020.
Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board had fined NCL Rs 30,000 a day, which is equivalent to around Rs 4.43 crore, but the court says this amount of compensation does not match the scientific criteria established by the Supreme Court for compensation and, therefore, it is insufficient.
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