Telangana pollution body fines Penna Cement for violating PM norms

The Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) has ordered two prime cement firms, including Penna Cement, to pay environmental compensation for exceeding particulate matter (PM) limits. The report filed by TSPCB with the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) southern bench showed how harmful the PM pollution is to Tandur municipality. Tandur Citizens’ Welfare Society filed a petition concerning this with the NGT. Following the petition, India Cements, Penna Cement Industries, and Cement Corporation of India installed online stack monitoring and ambient air quality monitoring systems. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and TSPCB websites were connected to these systems. Since November 2019, Cement Corporation of India has surpassed the PM limit eight times. The PCB suggested levying environmental compensation on the industry and imposed a payment of Rs 2.4 lakh, which the company paid. Meanwhile, Penna Cements exceeded the PM limit eight times and levied environmental compensation of Rs 3.3 lakh, which the cement company paid as well. However, it was discovered that India Cements did not exceed the PM limits, and hence, the firm did not get fined. To discover the air quality in Tandur, the pollution board organised an ambient air quality inspection at three locations in Tandur town: near the office room of HP petrol bunk, the terrace of Satya Sai Temple (near Tandur railway station), and the terrace of the police station. PM was beyond the permitted limits. The Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) told the media that they acquired 212 acres of land at Novalga village in Tandur Mandal under Vikarabad district and constructed an industrial park for stone cutting and polishing units. The state revenue department informed that the polishing units and stone cutting would be shifted to the industrial park once it is ready. TSIIC notified the recorded time for the completion of the industrial park is February 2022. Image Source Also read: Panyam Cement’s revival plan receives NCLT nod Also read: Cement prices in India improve, maximum hike in southern India