Ludhiana: In the ongoing hearing on setting up a carcass disposal plant, the National Green Tribunal has asked the deputy commissioner to file a progress report about the shifting status of the plant a week ahead of the next date of hearing, and PPCB is directed to assess the loss that was done by previous illegal hadda rodis to the Satluj river. The deputy commissioner, Ludhiana, has also submitted a report in the tribunal about finding land in Jamalpur Awana for shifting the plant, followed by a detailed inspection by a joint committee formed by him.In its orders, the NGT has mentioned that the Tribunal is considering the setting up and operationalisation of the Carcass Disposal Plant in Ludhiana. A status report has been filed by the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, disclosing that an alternate site for shifting the present Carcass Disposal Plant has been identified.Fulfilling Environmental & Zoning NormsA joint committee was formed by the deputy commissioner last month to check the feasibility of shifting the plant somewhere else. The report has been received from the joint committee, and based on the recommendations of the concerned departments, a suitable site has been identified for the purpose of establishment/operationalisation of the carcass disposal facility. The deputy commissioner has also informed the MC Commissioner about the feasibility report.The proposed site is situated in village Jamalpur Awana, Tehsil Ludhiana (East), as per Jamabandi for the year 2011-12. It is a 2-acre piece of land, and as per the revenue record, the ownership of the land vests with Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana.As per the report received from the revenue department, the distances of the proposed site from various environmentally sensitive and regulated features have been examined. These include the distance from the nearest surface water body, such as flood plain, High Flood Level (HFL) or red line as per revenue records, as well as distances from nearby settlements, educational institutions, places of worship, archaeological monuments, national parks, reserve forests and heritage sites. The distance from the nearest wildlife sanctuary/zoo has also been verified. It has been reported that all such distances are more than 500 metres, thereby fulfilling the norms prescribed under the guidelines of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). Accordingly, from the revenue and environmental standpoint, the site is found to be suitable.Further, as per the report of the district town planner, the site falls within the utility zone of the Master Plan, Ludhiana, wherein establishment of a carcass plant is permissible subject to certain conditions. It has been stipulated that the site should abut either a minimum 4 karam-wide revenue rasta, which should be operational and metalled.Timeline & River Restoration MandateOn verification, it has been found that the proposed site abuts a 6 karam-wide revenue rasta. However, before commencement of operations, the said road is required to be properly metalled to meet the prescribed conditions.In view of the joint inspection conducted by all concerned departments, the compliance of prescribed distance norms, and conformity with the provisions of the Master Plan, Ludhiana, the proposed site is found to be feasible for establishment of a carcass disposal plant.The senior counsel appearing for the deputy commissioner submitted that there is no objection to shifting the Carcass Disposal Plant to the new site, and this exercise will be completed within a period of nine months.Hence, the tribunal has asked the deputy commissioner to file the progress report at least one week before the next date of hearing.Meanwhile, the learned counsel for the applicant has also raised the issue that the five hadda-roddis that have been closed caused damage to the Sutlej river, therefore, the restoration work is required to be done. The counsel for the PPCB is directed to file the status report in this regard before the next date of hearing fixed for July 29.MSID:: 130307010 413 |
