| File Note: |
• The above note may kindly be perused………………………..
• Earlier, the Board vide order dated 25.07.2025 imposed Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs.1,30,50,000/- on the project proponent……………………………………
• Against the said order the project proponent filed an appeal before the Appellate Authority-cum-Secretary to Govt. of Punjab, Department of Science, Technology & Environment. The learned appellate authority vide its order dated 01.10.2024 declined to entertain the appeal………………………………………
• Against the order dated 01.10.2024 passed by the Hon’ble Appellate Authority, the project proponent filed an appeal before the Hon’ble NGT………………………………………..
• The project proponent, in the said appeal, also filed an IA no 656/2025 with a prayer to stay the operation of the order dated 18.07.2025 passed by the Board. The order dated 18.07.2025, is the copy of proceedings of personal hearing afforded by the Chairperson of the Board on 08.07.2025 to the project proponent before confirming directions u/s 33-A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 , as mentioned in the notice as well as before refusal of the consent applied by the project proponent under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981……………………………………………………….
• The project proponent has also prayed for stay of the operation of any order/action emanating from the order dated 18.07.2025……………………….
• The decision of the proceedings, which were conveyed to the project proponent vide letter dated 18.07.2025 include the decision of issuing directions u/s 33-A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 to the PSPCL authorities/GLADA/Revenue authorities for not to release any electric connection/not to issue partial completion or completion certificate, sanction building plan/not to register any sale deed related to any plot/flat/shop/house. The said directions were issued by the Board to the respective authorities vide separate letters dated 21.10.2025…………………………………………
• The Hon’ble NGT in the said matter of IA 565/2025 has decided as under:-
“By the impugned order, Environmental Compensation of Rs. 1,30,50,000/- has been imposed. Of the Appellant deposits 50% of the said amount including the amount already deposited, the Respondent will not take coercive action in pursuance to the impugned order till the next date of hearing.”
• Thus, the Hon’ble NGT has barred the Respondents including the Board to not to take coercive action in pursuance to the impugned order dated 18.07.2025 till the next date of hearing, which is scheduled to be held on 19.01.2026………………………………..
• Now, the project proponent has applied for obtaining Consent to Operate under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 with requisite documents and consent fee adequate upto 28.02.2028 as verified by the Regional Office…………………………………………….
• RO has reported that the estimated wastewater generation from the project is 330 KLD, for which the project proponent has provided 4 acres 6 karnal land as per the Karnal Technology and 7 acres as parks and has suggested that the said area is sufficient to handle the said hydraulic load……………………..
• As per previous report submitted by the RO in connection with its visit dated 19.03.2025, the estimated discharge of the colony was 620 KLD and after utilizing the wastewater for flushing, the project proponent will have not adequate land for disposal of the remaining treated wastewater……………………………………………..
• Also the Chairperson in hearing dated 08.07.2025, observed that the Environmental Clearance was granted for an expected discharge of 1223 KLD with provisions for reuse in flushing, HVAC, horticulture, and irrigation, the reuse of treated effluent for flushing and HVAC was not being implemented in practice. Moreover, the practical consumption of treated effluent for horticulture and plantation is significantly limited during winter and rainy seasons. Furthermore, the project proponent had failed to arrange 20 acres of additional land for plantation as committed during the environmental impact assessment while obtaining environmental clearance……………………….
• The note of RO is silent on the above said observations on the basis of which the previous hearing was afforded to the project proponent and decision for taking strict action was taken against which the IA has been filed by the project proponent in the Hon’ble NGT……………………………….
• Also RO has not submitted compliance of the condition of the Environmental Clearance as obtained by the project proponent, as the project proponent has previously been reported operated in non-compliance of the Environmental Clearance conditions……………………………………….
• The RO may be requested to submit the application in light of the above observations. RO may also be requested to comment on the basis an which the calculation of estimated wastewater discharge has been carried out, on the quantum of wastewater treated by the project proponent and its congruity with the fresh water consumption (Copy of record of atleast 3 months period be attached), basis for assuming the adequacy of land for handling of treated wastewater discharge, whether the land designated for disposal of treated wastewater is on lease and if yes, then what will be the mode of disposal after expiry of lease, status of land to be developed as per the conditions of the Environmental Clearance………………………………..
• RO may also inform as per Environmental Clearance what was total population to be served, total units to be constructed and the present status in comparison to the same………………………………………
• RO may be requested to put up the case with certification that the project proponent has complied with all the violation for which previous hearings have been afforded, in case, the case is fit for grant of consent……………………………..
• Submitted, please.
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