NGT seeks PCB’s response on application for allowing coal transportation by road
   Date :11-Jun-2019

 
Staff Reporter:
 
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to respond to an application for allowing transportation of coal by road. Earlier, the NGT had passed an order on August 28, 2018 accepting a suggestion of Expert Committee that coal for thermal power plants should be transported only by railway wagon or by dedicated conveyor belt system and not by road so as to prevent sever dust pollution. A review of this order was sought on the ground that preventing road transportation of coal will affect power generation. The application submitted suggests that mitigation measures were put in place by the authorities to curb dust pollution.
 
 
The Tribunal noted that in the consent given to operate the plant, there was a condition that all internal roads should be pucca roads. However, there was no clarity on whether this condition imposed to regulate emission of particular matter has been completed with. Therefore, the CPCB and MPCB were directed to furnish report on compliance and respond to the prayer of the application. “We are conducting different meetings in this regard and our work is on as per the direction of the Tribunal, soon we will put the report on that,” said Rahul Wankhede, Regional Officer, MPCB.
 
He informed, “Though dust pollution occurs through road transportation of coal also, but vehicular pollution is more sever than this. Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) is adopting dedicated conveyor belt system for transportation of coal.” WCL is constructing under ground conveyor belt system to transport their coal from one place to another. The work has already started, he informed.