NGT Orders Raigad Collector to Clarify Quarrying Near ACTREC

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Raigad District Collector to file a fresh affidavit clarifying whether any permissions were granted for quarrying activities near the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) at Kharghar after 2020-21.

The direction came during the hearing of two connected matters concerning alleged illegal quarrying and a suo motu case initiated on the basis of a news report. The tribunal was hearing an application alleging illegal quarrying behind Tata Memorial Centre's ACTREC campus, as well as a suo motu case based on a media report claiming that no permissions had been granted for quarrying at the site.

The bench comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Expert Member Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee passed the order on July 21. ACTREC had filed an affidavit stating that blasting operations in the vicinity generate vibrations that have caused structural damage to buildings on its campus. The institute further claimed that dust generated from the quarry frequently exceeds permissible limits, posing respiratory risks to staff as well as patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy.

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had submitted a report from the Directorate of Geology and Mining, which showed that quarrying had taken place over about 14 hectares of land. The report also noted that stone crusher units were operational and that operators claimed the raw material being processed was sourced from authorised excavation work for the Navi Mumbai International Airport project.

However, the tribunal observed that the MPCB's affidavit did not clarify whether any quarrying permissions had been granted after 2020-21. It noted that the District Collector was the appropriate authority to furnish that information and directed the Collector to file a separate affidavit in the present proceedings.

The tribunal also referred to an earlier affidavit filed by the District Collector, which stated that the quarry had valid permissions up to 2020-21 but that no further excavation approvals were found to have been granted thereafter. The quarry site is approximately 1 to 1.1 kilometres from the ACTREC campus, and controlled blasting for the Kharghar-Turbhe Link Road project had been permitted through a police-issued No Objection Certificate.

The applicant has been granted two weeks to file a consolidated rejoinder, and the matter has been posted for further hearing. The NGT's direction is a significant development in the case, as it highlights the concerns raised by ACTREC regarding the safety of its patients and staff.

The issue of quarrying near the ACTREC campus has been a contentious one, with allegations of illegal quarrying and environmental damage. The NGT's order is expected to provide clarity on the matter and ensure that the necessary permissions are in place for any quarrying activities in the area.

In the context of Mumbai's environmental concerns, the NGT's order is a welcome move. The city has been grappling with issues of pollution and environmental degradation, and the tribunal's direction is a step towards addressing these concerns.

The significance of the NGT's order lies in its potential to impact the lives of patients and staff at ACTREC. The institute is a premier cancer research and treatment centre, and any environmental damage or safety risks could have serious consequences. The tribunal's direction is a measure to ensure that the necessary precautions are taken to protect the health and well-being of those affected.

In conclusion, the NGT's order is a significant development in the case of quarrying near the ACTREC campus. It highlights the concerns raised by the institute regarding safety and environmental damage, and is a step towards addressing these concerns. The order is expected to provide clarity on the matter and ensure that the necessary permissions are in place for any quarrying activities in the area.