(MOREPIC1) Face2News/New Delhi
The applicant- S. Gurdev Singh resident of Gurdwara Ishar Parkash, near ITI Banur, Tehsil & District SAS Nagar Mohali has filed the present application under the provisions of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 through the Counsel Ms. Sunaina for seeking the issuance of appropriate directions to the respondents no. 6 and 7 to shift the CNG filling Station M/s Banur Filling Station situated at Zirakpur-Rajpura National Highway.
Counsel/Advocate Ms. Sunaina for applicant has submitted that above said Petrol Pump/CNG Station has been installed adjoining/next to the wall of the building of Sant Baba Waryam Singh Ji Memorial Public School, Banur.
The school is more than 20 years old and there are around 750 students in the school. Learned Counsel also submitted that one old Gurudwara Sahib is situated there and large number of devotees offer prayers in the same. The CNG pump/station runs 24 hours a day and heavy machines/generator/compressor set installed therein make huge noise pollution posing serious health problems to the students, staff of the school and devotees.(SUBHEAD)
The applicant filed a petition before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mohali under section 133 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973. As per the report received from Punjab PCB, Mohali in that case the noise pollution caused by the said Petrol Pump/CNG Gas Station is beyond prescribed limits.
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mohali passed a conditional order directing the Project Proponent to bring the noise level down within the prescribed limit but no action has been taken by the Project Proponent. As per the guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board new Petrol Pump/CNG Gas Station shall not be located within a radial distance of 50 meters from School/Hospital.
Vide order dated 09.11.2022, notices were ordered to be issued to the respondents(i.e. 1. Chief Secretary, Punjab, 2.Director, Local Bodies, Punjab, 3.Director, Department of Rural Development and Panchayat, Punjab, 4.Director, Department of Health & Family Welfare Punjab, 5.Secretary, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Punjab, 6.Deputy Commissioner SAS Nagar, Mohali, 7.Divisional Head, Chandigarh Divisional Office, IOCL). As per office report notices were duly served on the respondents no. 1 to 7 by email. Reply has been filed by respondent no. 5- PPCB vide email dated 14.12.2022 but none has appeared on behalf of the respondents no. 1 to 7 today.
Adv. Sunaina categorically mentioned that final exams of the students are around the corner where as students studies and academics are hampered because of the heavy noise created by this CNG compressor.CNG station is creating the noise pollution in the Silence Zone. She alleged that the huge noise of this CNG station is an underestimated threat that can cause a number of short- and long-term health problems.
It is increasingly becoming a potential hazard to health, physically and psychologically, and affects the general well-being of an individual. Excessive noise interferes with people’s daily activities especially at school and at work and during leisure time
National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, taking notice of the serious issues raised by Adv Sunaina and categorically mentioned that In view of the facts and circumstance of the case, Hon’ble NGT consider personal appearance of the Officer duly authorized by the District Magistrate, Mohali and the Regional Officer, Punjab State Pollution Control Board (PSPCB) before this Tribunal physically or through VC on the next date of hearing i.e., 17.01.2023 to be essential for producing the relevant record and assisting this Tribunal in just and proper adjudication of the questions involved in the case and they are accordingly directed to remain present before this Tribunal physically or through VC on that date.
