Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 29: The State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has issued orders for closure of B N Stone crusher at village Thathar, Bantalab as the same was located near residential area and adding pollution to the air and noise pollution in the area.
The order regarding the closure of stone crusher was issued by Chairman Pollution Control Board, Lal Chand on the basis of public complaints. Mr Chand said that Board will take strict action and will not allow functioning of any stone crusher adjacent to residential areas threatening the environment and causing noise and air pollution.
He said so far near about 35 stone crushers have been closed by the Board against whom the complaints have been received by it and which were adding to the pollution in the State.
The chairman has also issued directives to DC Jammu to ensure the closure of the crusher while Chief Engineer M&RE has been asked to snap the power supply to it. The PCB Chairman has also asked the Director Industries to deregister the proprietor of the stone crusher with immediate effect.
The Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma said that strict instructions have been given to concerned officers to implement the Board order. He said prior to it one stone crusher was also closed in Nagrota area.
He said besides the Government has warned the mining under culverts and bridges in rivers and nullahs and removal of sand and bajri by digging deep trenches as this may cause the flood threat.
He said in this regard order has been issued under Section 144 and the mining 500 metres upstream and 400 metres downstream the culverts and nullahs has been strictly banned. This step was taken in view of the recent damage caused to Balole nullah bridge while digging deep trenches near it by the miners for extracting bajri and sand.
Meanwhile PCB Chairman has made an appeal to people asking them not to throw garbage and other polluting matter into the Ranbir Canal and river Tawi and save them from the pollution threat.
He said the instructions have also been given to concerned departments to ensure that no drainage nullah is thrown into the Ranbir Canal.
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