The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Directorate of Environment, Haryana, to specify the distance from educational institutions within which stone crushers cannot be permitted.
Following a plea that sought for a direction to state the distance from educational institutions from which stone crushers will be prohibited, a Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said, “Some States have issued notifications laying down distance from educational institutions within which no stone crusher can be set up… in view of above, we direct Directorate of Environment, Haryana, to take initiative to specify the distance within which a stone crusher is not allowed to operate.”
The directions came while the green panel was hearing a plea that said “in the sitting policy of the State of Haryana, for the stone crushers, there is no prohibition against setting up of stone crushers near educational institutions” which contributes to noise pollution.
The Bench further observed that according to relevant noise pollution rules, the specified area of 100 metres around educational institutions and hospitals, had been increased to 250 metres by a 2017 notification. “There is also requirement for precautions for protection of forest, water bodies, health treatment units,” the Bench added.
