[dropcap]L[/dropcap]OGISTIC services storing oil, gas and chemical items and oil companies will soon be assessed for the damage that they are causing to public health and the environment in and around the villages of Ambapada and Mahul and in the outskirts of Mumbai, and companies identified by experts as polluters will have to monetarily compensate for the damage, according to a recent order by the National Green Tribunal.
The Tribunal’s order was in response to a petition filed by a Charudatt Kohli seeking remedial action against air pollution in the outskirts of Mumbai due to emissions including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) caused by loading, storage and unloading operations of hazardous chemicals at various stages by industrial units.
“Having regard to the acknowledged generation of VOCs by the said units, the impact on the environment and public health in the area and its estimated monetary value should be assessed and steps taken for restoration accordingly after verifying the database on VOCs and reduction targets by taking the services of expert professionals/ institutions,” the NGT panel comprising Chairperson Justice A K Goel, Judicial Members Justices S P Wangdi and K Ramakrishnan and Expert Member Dr Nagin Ananda said, while directing the Central Pollution Control Board to assess the value of the damage to the environment and public health and the proportion in which the amount was required to be recovered from “identified contributors to the pollution”.
According to the petitioner air pollution in the outskirts of Mumbai and in and around villages Ambapada and Mahul was primarily due to the emissions from the logistic services, storing oil, gas and chemical items, as well as from the oil companies.
