Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding industrial pollution faced by the residents of Ayyankuzhi village, Kochi, Ernakulam, Kerala, 04/04/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News item titled "Begging for breath: Trapped between industries Kochi residents gasp for fresh air" appearing in The New Indian Express dated 23.02.2024.
The application was registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item. The news item reveal the condition of the residents of Ambalamugal industrial area’s Ayyankuzhi village, which is sandwiched between the Kochi refinery of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd. (HOCL). As per the article the condition in the area is such that many residents have to move to safer areas on account of the respiratory issues and health problems.
The tribunal said that the news item raised substantial issues relating to compliance of the provisions of the Air Act, 1981 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The tribunal gave directions for impleading the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB); Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB); District Collector/District Magistrate, Kochi, Ernakulam; Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Kochi refinery and Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd., Kochi. All the respondents were directed to file their response one week before the next date of hearing, May 27, 2024 before the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai.