NGT reiterates Rs 1 cr penalty on SIDCUL for pollution in Sitarganj industrial area

NGT has reaffirmed its order imposing Rs 1 crore penalty on the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand and a CETP in Udham Singh Nagar district for damaging the environment and health of the people.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel it is "beyond any doubt" that air and water pollution was taking place and the two -- SIDCUL and CEPT (Common Effluent Treatment Plant) -- cannot be absolved.

The bench said: "Recovery of compensation and prohibiting polluting activities, for the failure of CETP and SIDCUL, the compensation of Rs 1 crore as determined vide order dated November 13, 2018 stands reiterated.

"It is not even the case of CETP or SIDCUL that cost of restoration or the extent of loss will be less than such amount which is being determined on ad hoc basis being moderate estimate."