PIL seeks closure of polluting ceramic units

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Gujarat High Court seeking closure of ceramic and silicate units in Morbi, Rajkot, that are not adhering to existing pollution norms.

A bench of Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala hearing the PIL issued notices to the Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) directing them to file reply within a fortnight.

The PIL has been filed by one Babubhai Saini through his lawyer Dhaval Barot. He has alleged that ceramic and silicate units were polluting air, water and land in and around Morbi town of Rajkot.

He has further alleged in his petition that there are 250 units of ceramic makers and over 15 units of silicate manufacturers, that are using out-dated technology and equipment and polluting the environment.

The petitioner explained that despite CPCB's direction to the ceramic units to convert to LNG based furnaces, they still were using coal-based furnaces that releases waster in form of coal tar which is in turn used by the silicate units to make silicate.

The petitioner's lawyer Barot alleged that in August 2012, the CPCB had directed GPCB to demolish all furnaces which were outdated and not permissible under the pollution norms. But, till date no required action was taken by the competent authorities of the state government, he added.