Jammu, Feb 06: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered the closure of 158 Stone Crushers and Hot Mix Plants found operating in contravention of prescribed environmental norms during the period from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2026.
Replying to a query raised by legislator Ajaz Ahmad Jan in the Legislative Assembly, the Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Javed Ahmed Rana, informed the House that the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) has issued statutory directions for closure under the provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 against these defaulting units.
The Minister stated that Stone Crushers and Hot Mix Plants are granted Consent to Establish (CTE) strictly subject to compliance with notified siting criteria and after a comprehensive assessment of the adequacy and functionality of prescribed Pollution Control Devices (PCDs), as mandated under the relevant provisions of the Water and Air Acts.
Consent is accorded only after due verification by the JKPCC to ensure conformity with environmental safeguards.
He further informed the House that all directions and judgments issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court of India from time to time are being implemented in letter and spirit, and that stringent legal action is initiated against violators under applicable environmental laws.
Highlighting the Government’s commitment to environmental conservation, the Minister underlined that focused measures are being undertaken to safeguard riverine ecology, curb pollution arising from illegal mining activities and strengthen institutional accountability within the J&K Pollution Control Committee under the environmental regulatory framework.
The Minister informed that all riverbed mining projects in Jammu and Kashmir are mandatorily regulated through the Environmental Clearance (EC) mechanism.
The Jammu and Kashmir Environment Impact Assessment Authority (JKEIAA), at the time of granting EC, prescribes both standard and project-specific environmental conditions.
These conditions are legally enforceable and are aimed at ensuring protection of river ecology, prevention of pollution and environmental degradation, and establishment of clear accountability of project proponents as well as regulatory authorities through monitoring and compliance under the applicable environmental statutes.
He further stated that project proponents are required to undertake mining operations strictly in accordance with the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016.
In addition, all mining blocks are required to obtain statutory consent from the J&K Pollution Control Committee. Mandatory mitigation measures include regular water sprinkling in mining areas, covering of excavated material during transportation, and restriction of mining operations to daytime hours, specifically between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
The Minister also placed on record district-wise details of Stone Crushers and Hot Mix Plants in the Jammu province that have been granted Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) by the JKPCC during the past five years.
He further stated that with the integration of advanced remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, distance parameters prescribed under the siting criteria are rigorously cross-verified on digital platforms prior to issuance of distance certificates.
These certificates, with respect to siting criteria, are issued by the concerned line departments and validated through GIS-based verification, thereby eliminating the possibility of incorrect distance reporting by field staff.
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