The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to take action against Gayatri Projects which is allegedly operating an illegal stone quarry in Bandha Hill Kanto Mouza in Anandpur tehsil of Keounjhar district.
A villager of Kanto, Kulapradip Sahu, in a petition to the NGT alleged that mining operations is being carried by by Gayatri Construction without environment clearance and Consent to Operate from OPSCB. Further the petitioner alleged that his houses got cracked and boundary wall felled because of the blasting activity in quarry.
On April 19, the NGT issued notices to all respondents such as OSPCB, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Deputy Director of Mines, Deputy Controller of Explosive, Keonjhar District Collector, Anandpur Tehsidar and Gayatri Projects limited.
On May 18, 2017, OSPCB filed its affidavit saying the Bandha quarry is operating without consent to establish and consent to operate from board and for that reason the board has issued notice on May 12 to the project to apply for the permission. NGT in its order directed the OSPCB to take action against the project for illegal operation of the unit.