| File Note: |
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%; background: white; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 2.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">The Railway Authorities was issued show cause notice for violation of the provisions of Water Act, 1974 with an opportunity of personal hearing before the Chairman of the Board on 28.10.2022.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">During hearing, the representatives of the Railway Authorities submitted reply of show cause notice issued and the same has been taken on record. They stated that:-</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; line-height: 115%; background: white; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 20.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">a)<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">The proposal for installation of STP capacity 25 KLD has been approved and the estimate of STP is under vetting. After the completion of vetting process, tender will be floated for execution of the work. However, in the meantime, septic tank has been provided.</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; line-height: 115%; background: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 20.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">b)<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">The water flow meters and composting pit will be installed / provided by 30.11.2022.</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; line-height: 115%; background: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 20.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">c)<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">The Railway Authorities are making awareness for discourage of single use plastic.</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; line-height: 115%; background: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 20.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">d)<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Due to bio-toilets in the coaches, no pollution is caused on the railway tracks.</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; line-height: 115%; background: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 20.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">e)<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">The area of maintenance, washing of trains, residential colonies of Railway, Railway Hospital does not come in the vicinity of station premises.</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%; background: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 2.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"> During hearing, the representatives of the Railway Authorities present in the hearing have again been apprised regarding the minutes of the meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chairman, CPCB; ED-MoR & MoHUA on 14.8.2020, wherein, it has been clearly mentioned that facilities which fall within the purview of official definition of Railways to be covered during assessment of environmental performance of stations. Therefore, the statement given by the representatives of the Railway that the area of maintenance, washing of trains, residential colonies of Railway, Railway Hospital does not come in the vicinity of station premises, is not tenable and advised to apply for obtaining 'consents to operate' under the Water Act, 1974 & the Air Act, 1981 by mentioning sources / quantum of pollution viz-a-viz their control status from all sources under the definition of "Railways".</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%; background: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 2.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"> After hearing the representatives of the Railway Authorities & PPCB and considering the material facts on record, the Chairman of the Board has decided that:</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in; line-height: 115%; background: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 38.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">I.<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">The Railway Authorities shall ensure the execution and commissioning of activities within timelines as committed in the reply as well as statement given by their representatives.</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in; line-height: 115%; background: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 38.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">II.<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">During hearing, the representatives of the Railway Authorities have been made clear that in case non-completion of activities within timelines, further action would be initiated to impose environmental compensation on the Railway Authorities from back date on merits.</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in; line-height: 115%; background: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 38.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">III.<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">The Railway Authorities shall apply within one month for obtaining 'consents to operate' under the Water Act, 1974 & the Air Act, 1981 for all the activities come under the definition of "Railways".</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in; line-height: 115%; background: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 38.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">IV.<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Environmental Engineer, Regional Office, Faridkot shall visit the site immediately after one month to verify the compliance(s) made by the Railway Authorities and thereafter, send report / recommendations within 10 days so as to proceed further in the matter.</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in; line-height: 115%; background: white; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 38.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 4.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"> </span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%; background: white; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 2.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now the Railway Authorities have applied for obtaining consent to operate only under the Air Act, 1981 under the green category (Railway Station having wastewater generation less than 10 KLD), however the Railway Authorities has proposed STP of 25 KLD capacity and as such falls under the categorization of orange category (Type code-2089).</span></p>
<p class="tableparagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -1.55pt; line-height: 115%; background: white; margin: 0in 6.3pt .0001pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>If approved, the Regional Office be requested to guide the Railway Authorities to apply under orange category (Type code-2089) for obtaining consents to operate under Water Act, 1974 & Air Act, 1981 after ensuring compliance of the decisions of the personal hearing held before the Chairman of the Board on 28.10.2022 and the present application applied for obtaining CTO under Air Act, 1981 under green category be returned. </span></p> |
