Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) has directed the Ghaziabad-based firm handling biomining of legacy waste at the Dadumajra dumping site to deposit Rs 2.37 lakh as environment compensation (EC) for starting operations without obtaining the mandatory consent to operate (CTO). The committee has also informed the Chandigarh municipal corporation that if the company fails to pay, the amount will be recovered from the MC.According to CPCC, the firm installed machines and began biomining work without securing CTO, amounting to a clear violation of environmental norms. The committee said the penalty cannot be waived and warned that failure to pay will invite legal action.The letter to the company, also marked to the MC, said: “You were directed to deposit environment compensation of Rs 2,37,500, after which CTO would be granted. You later requested a waiver, which was not considered as norms were violated. You were again directed to deposit the amount, but no response has been received. You are hereby given another opportunity to deposit the EC, failing which legal action under Sections 25/26 of the Water Act, 1974, and Section 21 of the Air Act, 1981, will be initiated without further reference.“Sources said while the CPCC has the option to seal the machines and halt operations, it is avoiding stringent action as the biomining work is crucial for clearing legacy waste and is being monitored by the National Green Tribunal. Instead, the committee has formally asked the company — and alerted the MC — to comply with the EC demand.BOX: Legacy waste clearance nearing completionSources said only 12,000–13,000 metric tonnes of legacy waste now remain at the Dadumajra site, with work progressing at full speed. The MC has already begun planning redevelopment of the cleared area, including major plantation and related works, for which paperwork is underway.
