Silica mining: NGT asks CPCB to prepare pan-India guidelines

‘Mining poses health risks to people working in plants or residing nearby’; green court directs the Uttar Pradesh government to create necessary medical infrastructure without further delay

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to prepare detailed pan-India guidelines for silica sand mining and silica washing plants within three months.

A silica sand washing plant is used to remove impurities and contaminants from silica sand. Both mining and washing pose health risks to people working in the plants or residing nearby. They also cause silicosis, an occupational lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of silica dust.

The green court was hearing a petition on illegal silica sand mining in Uttar Pradesh.

“CPCB is directed to prepare detailed guidelines in respect of silica sand mining and silica washing plants, to be followed and observed by the concerned Statutory Regulators while granting permission for mining and washing plants and circulate the same to all concerned within three months,” a Bench of the NGT comprising of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Sudhir Agarwal, and expert member A. Senthil Vel said in a judgment.

On the health hazards, the Bench stated, “State of Uttar Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, in consultation and coordination with the concerned departments of State, shall take immediate steps to provide specialised health care facilities in the areas where mining lease holders are operating silica sand mines. Necessary medical infrastructure for prevention and treatment of affected workers shall be arranged without any further delay,”

Pulling up the authorities, the court said, “In the operation of silica sand mines, a lot of irregularities have been found, and even the attitude and performance of the concerned authorities does not fulfil the requirement of law.”

“Similarly, in respect to the washing plants of silica sand, regular records are not maintained, and statutory regulators also do not pay much heed in respect to compliance or requirements of law,” the court observed.

The green court also imposed penalties on various private companies engaged in mining-related activities.

“The court has now directed the CPCB to come up with nationwide guidelines to solve this problem and we hope that it will make a difference,” said advocate Rohit Kumar Tuteja, who was the advocate for the petitioner in the case.

Published - November 30, 2024 01:21 am IST