The State Government has asked 398 stone crusher units to stop doing business for violating environment norms, informed Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Of the 1,888 crusher units operating in the State, 260 are working without environment permission, he said in a query from Santosh Singh Saluja (Congress).
Similarly, 275 crusher units have been served show-cause notice and 84 have been demolished, he said. Saluja wanted to know what kind of action the Government is taking against the crusher and hot mix units which are violating environmental norms and operating near public roads.
The Minister said, “Permission has been given to only those crushers who are operating 200 meters away from National and State Highways.”
However, there are no such rules for crushers operating close to District Roads and PMGSY roads.
The Minister also admitted that stone crusher and hot mix units are causing respiratory diseases such as asthma in several areas. These units have been asked to use sprinklers to reduce the level of air pollution.
Several other members cutting across party lines expressed concern over the pollution created by crusher units.