M.C.MEHTA v. UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.
vidhipandit.com/case/sc-s-1996-10-973-1041
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• Transport Nagar A Agra.
2626. Mis Laxmi Metal Ind. Indira Mill Compound Jeoni Mandi Agra. B
2727. Mis Shree Durga Bhagwati Industries & Iron Foundary _, langre Ki Chowki Agra.
2828. M/s India Casting Co. c C-1, Balkeshwar Road Agra.
2929. Mis India Iron Foundary Sultanganj D Agra.
3030. Shanker Iron Foundary Balkeshwar Agra. E
3131. Jagannath Dewan Chandra Jain Freeganj Agra.
3232. . Agarwal Wire Ind. C-30, Site A, Ind. Area F Sikandara Agra.
3333. Super Chem. Ind. D-1, Sector A, Ind. Area G .... Sikandara Agra.
3434. Uttam Lah Udyog 10 Km Stone Mathura Road H
1008 SUPREME COURT REPORTS[l996) SUPP.10 S.C.R.
A Agra.·
3535. Mahajan Ispat Udyog ' Runukutta, Mathura Road Agra.
3636. G.M. Industries Corpn. Kailash Road, Sikandara Agra.
3737. Satya Deep Udyog Mathura Road c Agra.
3838. Arbaria Iron Foundary Runukutta Mathura Road Agra. D
3939. Allied Iron & Steel Works Runukutta, Mathura Road Agra.
4040. smgii Industries E Mathura Road, Artoni Agra.
4141. Kalyan Steel Products (P) Ltd. Artoni, Mathura Road Agra. F
4242. B.K. Steels Artoni, Mathura Road Agra.
4343. Anand Industry G Artoni, Mathura Road Agra. ...
4444. Arbaria Steels Artoni, Mathura Road H Agra.
M.C.MEHTAv. U.O.I.(KULDIPSINGH,J.) 1009
4545. Luthura Engineering A 15 Km., Artoni, Mathura Road Agra.
4646. Satya Ind. Corpn. Unit-2, Rambagh Agra. B
4747. A.R. Iron Foundary Rainbagh Agra.
4848. S.A. Iron Foundary c 11/42, Rambagh Agra.
4949. S.K. Iron Foundary & Engg. Co., Unit-1 Rambagh D Agra.
5050. S.K. Iron Foundary & Engg. Co., Unit-2 Rambagh Agra. E
5151. S.G. Industries Rambagh Agra.
5252. Golden Engg. Corpn. 4/45, Rambagh F Agra.
5353. Paliwal Iron Foundary & Metal Works Rambagh Agra. G .... 54. Jain Foundary & Engg. Works Rambagh Agra.
5555. Castwel Foundary H
io10 SUPREME COURTREPORTS(1996] SUPP.10 S.C.R.
A Naraich, Hathras Road ( Agra.
5656. Oswal Iron Foundary Rambagh Agra. B
5757. Ganga Engineers Rambagh Agra. '
5858. S.S. Iron Foundary c 11/111, Rambagh Agra.
5959. Suraj Foundary 11/45, Rambagh D Agra. .
6060. Dewan Chand Suraj Prakash Jain 11/43, Rambagh Agra.
6161. Parolia Engg. Works 11/47-C, Rambagh Agra.
6262. S.B. Iron Foundary 11/18-B, Rambagh F Agra.
6363. Reliable Industry Rambagh Agra. G
6464. Sarla & Co. .,,, Rambagh Agra.
6565. Shree Ram Iron Foundary & Engg. Works H 4248/2, Rambagh
M.C. MEHTAv. U.O.I. [KULDIP SINGH, J.] 1011 Agra. A
6666. Jagdish Industrial Corpn. Naraich, Hathras Road Agra.
6767. R.K. Engineers & Founders B Hathras Road Agra.
6868. Goyal Iron & Steel Works Naraich, Hathras Road Agra. c
6969. R.R. Iron Foundary Rambagh Agra. D
7070. Sharad Industries Foundry Nagar Hathras Road Agt:a.
7171. Kansai Iron Foundry E 11/48/6/C, Naraich Hathras Road Agra.
7272. Goyal Metal Industries Foundry Nagar, Hathras Rd. F Agra.
7373. Fatehchand Sehgal & Sons Naraich, Hathras Road Agra. G -""" 74. Adesh Kumar Jain C-69, Foundry Nagar Agra.
7575. Deepak Chemical Works H
lOU SUPREME COURT REPORTS[1996] SUPP. 10 S.C.R.
A llB/103, Naraich Hathras Road Agra.
7676. Devki Nandan llB/103, Naraich Hathras Road B Agra.
7777. Prakash Iron Foundary Hathras Road Agra. c 78. Ravi Agricultural Ind. Hathras Road Agra.
7979. V.K. Enterprises D C-48, Foundry Nagar Agra.
8080. Manik Chand Garg & Co. C-50, Foundry Nagar Agra. E
8181. Bombay Engg. & Moulding Works 3994, Nagla Kishanlal Hathras Road Agra. F
8282. Gopal Iron Foundary D-38, Foundry Nagar Agra.
8383. Sterling Machine Tools G C-38, Foundary Nagar Agra. ..,. _
8484. Bharat Ind. Unit-2 B-12, Foundry Nagar H Agra.
M.C.MEHTA11. U.0.1.[KULDIPSINGH,J.] 1013
8585. Kajeco Industries Unit-2 A B-9/10, Foundry Nagar Agra.
8686. Devi Enterprises Hathras Road Agra. B
8787. Techno Industries 2919, Nariach Hathras Road Agra. c
8888. Goyal Iron & Steel Works (India) Nagla Kishanlal Hathras Road Agra. D
8989. G.C. Industries Naraich, Hathras Road Agra.
9090. KJ. Industries B-5, Foundry Nagar E Agra.
9191. Bajrang Iron Foundry B-4, Foundry Nagar Agra. ' F
9292. Agra Loh Udyog 1167, Foundry Nagar Agra.
9393. Singhal Industries B-2, Foundry Nagar G - ._., Agra.
9494. Raj Iron Foundry Unit-II B-3, Foundry Nagar Agra. H
1014 SUPREME COURT REPORTS(1996] SUPP.10 S.C.R.
9595. Agrico Enterprises E-60/E-61, Foundry Nagar ~
Agra.
9696. Tantan Auto Industry ' E-72, Foundry Nagar B Agra.
9797. Naresh Iron Foundry D-62, Foundry Nagar Agra. c 98. A.B. Auto Works (P) Ltd. C-32, Foundry Nagar Agra.
9999. Shri Ram Engg. Works D D-19, Foundry Nagar Agra.
100100. Britania Engg. Co. C-31, F9undry Nagar Agra. E
101101. Expert Founders & Engg. C-29, Foundry Nagar Agra.
102102. Basal Casting Co. F D-17, Foundry Nagar Agra.
103103. Maharaja Agrasen Iron Foundry D-15, Foundry Nagar G Agra.
104104. Ajanta Industries .,,,_ D-20, Foundry Nagar Agra.
105105. Accurate Ferro Castings
1016 SUPREME COURT REl'ORTS(l996] SUPP. 10 S.C.R.
A Agra. ~
116. Shyam Metal Industries E-3, Foundry Nagar Agra.
B li7. Narayan Brothers Factory E-3, Fowidry Nagar Agra.
118. Shaktiman Industries E-25, Foundry Nagar c Agra.
119. Jain Ambey Piston King Industry E-14, Foundry Nagar Agra. D
120. Monark India . .... E-13/E-14, Foundry Nagar Agra.
121. . Gopal Iron Foundry E D-43, Foundry Nagar Agra.
122. Natraj Iron Foundry . E-18, Foundry Nagar Agra. F
123. Bhagwati Iron Foundry D-2,Foundry.Nagar · Agra.
124. Chinar Foundry G E-1,2, Foundry Nagar Agra. . ...
125. Modern Industries IIB 76A, Foundry Nagar H Agra.·
M.C. MEHTA v. U.0.1. (KULDIP SINGH, J.] 1017
126. Devi Sahai Gopaldas A ~ Iron Foundry C-15, Foundry Nagar Agra.
127. Mittal Industries C-18, Foundry Nagar B Agra.
128. B.K. Castings C-6, Foundry Nagar Agra. c
129. N.K. Iron Foundry C-3,Foundry Nagar Agra.
130. Metal Products D C-33, Foundry Nagar Agra.
131. Shanti Vrat & Sons B-7, Foundry Nagar Agra. E
132. Mr. Sushil Kr. Danoria B-14/1, Foundry Nagar Agra.
133. BSA Agricultural Ind. F 17/15, Nunhai Rd. Nawalganj Agra.
134. lndu Engg. & Textiles Ltd. 12/16A, Nawalganj G Agra.
135. Vijay Iron Foundry 1250, Nawajganj Agra. H
1018 SUPREME COURTREPORTS(1996) SUPP.10 S.C.R.
A 136. Kaushal Industries ~ Nawalganj Agra.
137. Standard Pumps Nunhai Agra. B
138. Doneria Pvt. Ltd. 10/4, Hathras Road Agra. . ...
c 139. Doneria Iron & Steels 11/28, Chini Ka Roza Agra.
140. Ratan Industries (P) Ltd. 10/12, Kalra Wazir Khan D Hathras Road ... _ Agra.
141. Bharat Iron & Steel Foundry 10/10, Katra Wazir Khan Agra. E
142. Shri Bankey Bihari Udyog 10/9, Katra Wazir Khan Agra.
F 143. Balaji'Udyog 10/22 Katra Wazir Khan Agra.
144. Nav Durga Dhalai G 1014A, Datra Wazir Khan Agra.
145. Ess Jay Steels (P) Ltd. 10/4A, Hathras Road H Agra.
M.C. MEHTA v. U.O.I. [KULDIP SINGH, J.] 1019
;- 146. Girdharlal Thankurdas Agencies (P) Ltd. A ~ 11/38, Hathras Road Agra.
147. Kumar Steel Udyog 11/24, Ching Ka Roja Agra. B
148. G.T. Iron Industries 11/38, A-3, Hathras Road
149. Munnalal Mistri 11/124, Chini Ka Roza c Agra.
150. Metal Cast India 3-Ind. Estate, Nunhai Agra. D
151. Mis Printing Machine Mfg. Co. 1, Ind. Estate, Nunhai Agra.
152. M/s Amar Enterprises E 2, E.e., Nunhai Agra.
153. Mis Northern India Tools Co. " 62, I.e., Nunhai Agra. F
154. M/s Meghdoot Pistons (P) Ltd. 6, I.E., Nunihai Agra. G
155. Mis Mehra Casting Works 32, I.e., Nunihai Agra.
156. M/s Mahaveer Iron Foundry 12/15, Nawajganj H
1020 0 SUPREME COURT RE:eORTS[l996) SUPP.10 S.C.R.
A Agra. -;- ~
157. Mis Paras Foundry 68, I.E., Nunihai Agra.
B 158. Mahaveer Iron Foundry 67, I.E., Nunihai Agra. ...
159. Mis Maharshi Dayanand I~on Foundry 71, I.E., Nunihai c Agra.
160. Mis Basant Industries Nunihai Agra. D
161. Mis A.V. Engineering Works 160, I.E., Nunihai Agra.
162. Mis Ess Bee iron Foundry E 134, I.E., Nunihai Agra
163. Mis Tracko International 56, I.E., Nunihai Agra. F
164. Mis Metafam Engg. Associate 19, I.E., Nunihai Agra.
165. Mis Vinay Iron Foundry G 75, I.E., Nunihai Agra r (
166. Mis Samta Trading Corpn. 136, I.E., Nunihai H Agra.
M.C. MEIITAv. U.O.I. [KULDIP SINGH, J.] 1021
167. Mis Mahaveer Engg. Works A • 82, I.E., Nunihai Agra.
168. Mis Universal Steel Ind. 69, I.E., Nunihai Agra. B
ENGINEERING
169. Anil Metal Industry Bodla Road Agra. c
170. Agra Engg. Industries Artoni Agra. D
171. Profile Furnaces & Heat Treatment _, Kailash Road, Sikandara Agra.
172. Aay Jay Udyog B-6, Site B, Ind. Area E Sikandara Agra.
173. Krishi Seva Udyog D-41, Foundry Nagar Agra. F
174. Paragon Industries D-7,Foundry Nagar Agra.
175. Usha Martin Ind. Ltd. G ' --,. Nawaj Ganj Agra.
176. Mercury Engg. Chini Ka Roza H
1022 SUPREME COURT REPORTS[1996] SUPP. 10 S.C.R.
A Agra.
177. Shivam Industries 10/4A, Katra Wazir Khan. Agra.
B 178. Donaria Industries 10/4A, Hathras Road Agra.
179. Rahul Diesels (India) .... Rambagh c Agra.
180. K.J. Diesels (P) Ltd. Naraich Hathras Road D Agra.
181. Prakash Agricultural Ind. Foundry Nagar Agra.
E 182. Anil Agricultural Ind. B-25, Foundry Nagar Agra.
183. Singhal Industries Corpn. .C-49, Foundry Nagar F Agra.
184. Gangotri Diesels (P) Ltd. Hathras Road Agra. G
185. Shivas Industries C-36, Foundry Nagar ..,. Agra.
186. Olympic Diesels H E-53, Foundry Nagar
M.C. MEHTAv. U.0.1. [KULDIP SINGH, J.] 1023
Agra. A
" 187. Shri Ram Diesels (India) C-56, Foundry Nagar Agra.
188. Minerva Diesel Eng. (P) Ltd. B C-67, Foundry Nagar Agra.
189. A.K. Enterprises B-20, Foundry Nagar Agra. c
190. Kalyan Engg. Works E-8, Foundry Nagar Agra. D
191. Chandra Metal Enterprises E-24, Foundry Nagar Agra.
192. Rajendra Industries E-31, Foundry Nagar E Agra.
i93. Bright Engg. Works E-19, Foundry Nagar Agra. F
194. K.G. Electro Techniques E-17, Foundry Nagar Agra.
195. Satya Udyog Unit-2 G C-11, Foundry Nagar Agra.
196. Doneria Engg. Co. C-5, Foundry Nagar Agra. H
1024 SUPREME COURT REPORTS(1996) SUPP. 10 S.C.R.
A 197. Basant Ispat Udyog {P) Ud. C-34, Foundry Nagar ~ Agra.
198. Atul Engg. Udyog Nunhai B Agra.
199. Atul Generation (P) Ud. Nunhai Agra. c
200. Mohan Generators & Pumps 45, I.E., Nunhai Agra.
201. Mis Steelco Ind. D 54A, Industrial Estate Nawalganj, Nunhai .._ Agra.
202. Mis Jay Sheet Mfty. E Nawalganj, Nunhai Agra.
203. Mis Automotive Products 73, I.E., Nunhai Agra. F
204. Mis S.G. Sundrani I.E., Nunhai Agra.
205. Mis Alfa Engg. Works G 20 I.E., Nunhai Agra. .--- '
206. M/s Shyam Metal Works 21 I.E., Nunhai H Agra.
M.C. MEHTA v. U.0.1. [KULDIP SINGH, J.] 1025 I ' 'lIJ7. M/s Jagdish Metal Works A > 24, Nunhai ~ Agra.
'lIJ8. M/s Suchlam Engg. Works 165A I.E. Nunhai Agra. B
'lIJ9. M/s Pawan Auto Ind. I.E. Nunhai Agra.
210. M/s Shaktiman Ind. c I.E., Nunhai Agra.
211. Sandeep Autos I.E., Nunhai D Agra
212. M/s India Auto Rings I.E., Nunhai Agra. E
213. Mis Vulcan Engg. Inds., Nunhai Agra.
214. M/s Agra Steels Corpn. I.E., Nunhai F Agra.
CHEMICALS & OTHER INDUSTRIES
215. Mis Biological Evons Ltd. G Bichpuri Road Agra.
216. M/s Wasan & Co., Bodla, Bichpuri Road Agra. H
1026 SUPREME COURT REPORTS[1996] SUPP.10 S.C.R'.
A 217. Mis Mahajan Tanners (P) Ltd. Bichpuri Road ·~
Agra.
218. Mis Agra Tannery Le~,ther Bichpuri Road B Agra.
219. Mis C.R. Oil Mill Motilal Nehru Road Agra. c
220. Mis Sharda Oil Mills Moti Lal Nehru Road Agra.
221. Mis B.P. Oil Mills (P) Ltd. D Maithan Agra.
222. Mis Mayur Kattha Industries Chalesar Agra. E
223. Mis A.V. Paper Cones Sikandara Agra.
F 224. R.R. Chem. Industries Kailash Road Sikandara Agra.
225. Agra Beverages Corpn. (P) Ltd. G Mathura Road Agra.
226. Arctic Drinks (P) Ltd. 12 Km, Mathura Road . H. - Agra . (
M.C. MEHTAv. U.0.1. [KULDIP SINGH, J.) 1027
227. Devyani Foods (P) Ltd. A Mathura Road Agra.
228. B .K. Enterprises Mathura Road Agra. B
229. R.M. Foods (P) Ltd. Artoni, Mathura Road Agra.
230. Park Leather Industries Ltd. c Runukutta, Mathura Road Agra.
231. Hindustan Crushers & Fertilizers Runukutta D Agra.
232. General Mills Corpn. Runukutta, Mathura Road Agra. E '
233. Amar Shikha Wood Product Artoni, Mathura Road Agra.
234. Amar Jyoti Industries Artoni, Mathura Road F Agra.
235. Sun Beverages (P)Ltd. Artoni, Mathura Road Agra. G
236. Taj Beverages (P) Ltd. " Artoni, Mathura Road Agra.
237. Pee Cee Soap Factory H
1028 SUPREME COURT REPORTS[1996) SUPP. 10 S.C.R.
A Artoni, Mathura Road Agra.
238. Kanclla Flooring & Fabrics (P) Ltd. A-1, Site A Ind. Area Sikandara B Agra.
239. Agra Roller Floor Mills Artoni, Mathura Road Agra. c 240. R.K. Brothers C-25, Site A Ind. Area Sikandara Agra.
D 241. Sun Ray Agrochem Runukutta, Mathura Road Agra.
242. ·Plywood Products E 19.6 Km, Runukutta, Mathura Road Agra.
243. Shreekshetria Gandhi Ashram Runukutta Agra. F I
244. Shiraj Foods Unit-2 Runukutta, Mathura Road Agra.
245. C.R. Foods India (P} Ltd. G 1977/1, Runukutta, Mathura Road Agra.
246. Ramjilal Harishchand 11/48-E, Rambagh, Hathras Road H Agra.
M.C.MEHTAv. U.0.1.(KULDIPSINGH,J.) 1029
247. Agra Oil & General Industry A Naraich, Hathras Road Agra.
248. Bansal Marble Industries Hathras Road Agra. B
249. Sandeep Resin Industries E-38, Foundry Nagar Agra.
250. Anchor Wax Industry c C-26, Foundry Nagar Agra.
251. Anil Paint Works E-10, Foundry Nagar D Agra.
252. Bee Kay Industry E-28, Foundry Nagar Agra. E
253. B.K. Salts . Behind E-28, Foundry Nagar Agra.
254. National Chemicals F C-9, Foundry Nagar Agra..
255. Jai Shanker Salt Petter Works A-8, Foundry Nagar Agra. G - " 256. Singhal Pesticides 9/122, Moti Bagh Yamuna Agra. H
1030 SUPREME COURT REPORTS[1996) SUPP. 10 S.C.R.
A 257. Adarsh Paper Products 10/4, Katra Wazir Khan Agra.
258. Seema Oil Corpn. 11/38 B, Sita Nagar B Agra.
259. Agarwal Industries 10/22, Katra Wazir Agra.
c 260. Allora Paper Products 10/4, Katra Wazir Agra.
261. Agarwal Knitting D 188, Industrial Estate Nunhai Agra.
262. Brigh! Son Electroplaters Industrial Area E Nunhai Agra.
263. Micro Metals 151, Ind. Estate Nunhai F Agra.
264. Mis Bonita Chemicals 64, I.E., Nunhai Agra. G M/s Gandhi Refinaries 265. 69 A I.E., Nunhai Agra.
266. M/.s Mahaveer Glass & Silicate Works H 65 I.E.
M.C. MEHTAv. U.O.I. [KULDIP SINGH, J.] 1031
.. Agra. A -4' ..
267. Mis The National Glass & Silicate Nunhai Agra.
268. Mis Agra Chains Pvt. Ltd. B 14, I.E., Nunhai Agra.
269. Mis Agra Leather Board Pvt. Ltd. 5, I.E., Nunhai Agra. c RUBBER FACTORIES
270. Mis Bajwa Rubber Ind. 12167, Rui Ki Mandi Agra. D
271. Mis Bengal Rubber Ind. Shahaganj Agra.
272. Mis K.K. Rubber Ind. E 11/3954, Langre Ki Chowki Shastri Nagar Agra.
273. Mis Caapstan Rubber Products F Transport Nagar Agra.
... 274. Mis Smart lnd~ries 5199, Billochpura Agra. G -., 275. Mis Rubber Complex Shahganj Agra.
276. Weston Rubber H
1032 SUPREME COURT REPORTS[l996) SUPP.10 S.C.R.
A 11 Km. Stone Mathura Road Agra. Al ~ -
277. Katyal Industries 10 Km. Stone B Mathura Road Agra.
278. Capston Rubbers (India) C-6, Site A Ind. Area Sikandara c Agra.
279. Bengal Rubber Ind. (Unit-2) C-7, Ind. Area, Site A D Sikandara Agra.
280. Bajwa Rubber Ind. (Unit-2) ---C-8, Ind. Area Sikandara E Agra.
281. Noble Rubber Products B-1, Ind. Area Sikandara Agra. F ~2. Agra Rubber Industries E-37, Foundry Nagar Agra.
283. Goodage Rubber Works G B-16/3, Foundry Nagar Agra. <
284. Syntex Rubber Rollers 10/4, Katra Wazir Khan H Agra.
M.C. MEHTA v. U.O.I. [KULDIP SINGH, J.) 1033
285. Shakti Rubber Corpn. A ,, Sikandara Agra.
286. M/s Novelty Udyog 37, I.E., Nunhai Agra. B
287. Mis Sheela Udyog 14B-144, I.E. ,. Agra.
288. Mis JJ. Rubber & Plastic c 11, I.E., Nunhai Agra.
289. Sunrise Rubber Ind. I 18, I.E., Nunhai D Agra.
LIME KILNS
290. Hansaram Bhagwandas Naraich, Hathras Road E Agra.
291. Garg Lime Industries Naraich, Hathras Road Agra. F
292. Pankaj Small Ind. Nawalganj Agra. I The Taj, apart from being cultural heritage, is an industry by itseH. More than two million tourists visit the Taj every year. It is a source of G revenue for the country. This Court has monitored this petition for over three years with the sole object of preserving and protecting the Taj from deterioration and damage due to atmospheric and environmental pollution. It cannot be disputed that the use of coke/coal by the industries emit pollution in the ambient air. The objective behind this litigation is to stop H
1034 SUPREME COURT REPORTS(1996) SUPP. 10 S.C.R.
A the pollution while encouraging development of industry. The old concept that development and ecology cannot go together is no longer acceptable. Sustainable development is the answer. The development of industry is · essential for the economy of the country, but at the same time the environ- ment and the eco-systems have to be protected. The pollution created as B a consequence of development must co=ensurate with the carrying capacity of our eco-systems.
Various orders passed by this Court from time to time (quoted above) clearly indicate that the relocation of the industries from Ttz is to be resorted to only if the natural gas which has been brought at the doorstep of TTZ is not acceptable/available by/to the industries as a substitute for coke/coal. The GAIL has already invited \he industries in TTZ to apply for gas connections. Before us Mr. Kapil Sibal and Mr. Sanjay Parikh, learned counsel for the industries have clearly stated that all the industries would accept gas as an industrial-fuel. The industries operating in TTZ which are given gas connections to run the industries need not relocate. The whole purpose is to stop air pollution by banishing coke/coal from TTZ.
This Court in Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India & Ors., JT (1996) 7 SC 375, ha5 defined "the precautionary principle" and the E "polluter pays principle" as under :-
"11 ........... We are, however, of the view that "the Precautionary Principle" and "The Polluter Pays" principle are essential features of "Sustainable Development". The "Precautionary Principle" - in the context of the municipal law - means : F (i) Environmental measures • by the State Government and the statutory authorities - must anticipate, prevent and attack the causes of environmental degradation.
(ii) Where there are threats of serious and irreversible G damage, lack of scientific certainty should not be sued as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.
(iii) The "Onus of proor is on the actor or the H '• developer/industrialist to show that his action is environmen-
M.C.MEHTAv. U.0.1. [KULDIP SINGH, J.] 1035 , tally benign. A "' 12. "The Polluter Pays" principle has been held to be a sound principle by this Court in Indian Council for Enviro- Legal Action v. Union of India, J.T. (1996) 2 196. The Court observed, "We are of the opinion that any principle evolved in this behalf should be simple, practical and suited to the conditions obtaining in this B country". The Court ruled that "Once the activity carried on is haZardous or inherently dangerous, the person carrying on such activity is liable to make good the loss caused to any other person by his activity irrespective of the fact whether he took reasonable care while carrying on his activity. The rule is premised upon the c very nature of the activity carried on." Consequently the polluting industries are "absolutely liable to cpmpensate for the harm caused by them to villagers in the affected area, to the soil and to the underground water and hence, they are bound to take all necessary measures to remove sludge and other pollutants lying in the af- fected areas". The "polluter Pays" principle as interpreted by this D Court means that the absolute liability for harm to the en'vironment extends not only to compensate the victims of pollution but also the cost of restoring the environmental degradation. Remediation Of the damaged environment is part of the process of "Sustainable Development" and as such polluter.is liable to pay the cost to the E individual sufferers as well' as the cost of reversing the damaged ecology. I
13. The precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle . have been accepted as part of the law of the land. Article 21 of F 'the <:;onstitution of India guarantees protection of life and personal liberty. Articles 47, 48A, and 51A(g) of the Constitution are as under:-
"47. Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health. - The State G shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health among its primary duties and in particular, the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consump- tion except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and H
1036 SUPREME COURTREPORTS[1996] SUPP.10 S.C.R.
A of drugs which are injurious to health.
48A. Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forest and wild life. - The State shall en- " deavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country. B 51A(g). To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures.
Apart from the constitutional mandate to protect and improve c the environment there are plenty of post independence legislations on the subject but more relevant enactments for our pur- pose are: The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (the Water Act), the Air (Prevention and Control-of Pollu- tion) Act,1981 (the Air Act) and the Environment Protection Act, D 1986 (the Environment Act). The Water Act provides for the constitution of the Central Pollution Control Board by the Central Government and the constitution of the State Pollution Control Boards by various State Governments in the country. Tlµ: Boards function under the control of the Governments concerned. The Water Act prohibits the use of streams and wells for disposal of E polluting matters. Also provides for restrictions on outlets and discharge of effiuents without obtaining consent from the Board. Prosecution and penalties have been provided which include sen- tence of imprisonment. The Air Act provides that the Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Boards F constituted under the Water Act shall also perform the powers and functions under the Air Act. The main function of the Boards, under the Air Act, is to improve the quality of the air and to prevent, control and abate air pollution in the €ountry. We shall deal with the Environment Act in the later part of this judgment.
G 14. In view of the above mentioned constitutional and statutory provisions we have no hesitation in holding that the precautionary .,. principle and the polluter pays principle are part of the environ- mental law of the country."
H Based on the reports of various technical authorities mentioned in
M.C. MEHTA v. U.0.1. [KULDIP SINGH, J.] 1037 !
j., this judgment, we have already reached the l;inding that the emissions generat~d by the coke/coal consuming industries are air-pollutants and have damaging effect on the Taj ltnd the people living in the TTZ. The atmospheric pollution in TTZ has to be eliminated at any cost. Not even one per cent chance can be taken when - human life apart - the preserva- tion of a prestigious monument like the Taj is involved. In any case, in view of the precautionary principle as defined by this Court, the environmental measures must anticipate, prevent and attack the causes of environmental degradation. The 'onus of proof is on an industry to show that its operation with the aid of coke/coal is environmentally benign. It is, rather, proved beyond doubt that the emissions generated by the use of coke/coal by the industries in TTZ are the main polluters of the ambient air. c We, therefore, hold that the above-mentioned 292 industries shall as per the schedule indicated hereunder change-over to the natural gas as an industrial-fuel. The industries which are not in a position to obtain gas connections - for any reason - shall stop functioning with the aid of coke/coal in the TTZ and may relocate themselves as per the directions D given by us thereunder.
We order and direct as under:
(1) The industries (292 listed above) shall approach/apply to the E GAIL before February 15, 1997 for grant of industrial gas- connection.
(2) The industries which are not in a position to obtain gas connec- tions and also the industries which do not wish to obtain gas connections .. may approach/apply to the Corporation (UPSIDC)/Government before February 28, 1997 for allotment of alternative plots in the industrial estates F. outside TTZ.
(3) The GAIL shall take final decision in respect of all the applica- tions for grant of gas connections by March 31, 1997 and communicate the allotment letters to the individual industries. G "' (4) Those industries which neither apply for gas connection nor for alternative industrial plot shall stop functioning with the aid of coke/coal in the TTZ with effect from April 30, 1997. Supply of coke/coal to these industries shall be stopped forthwith. The District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police shall have this order complied with. H
1038 SUPREMECOURTREPORTS(1996] SUPP.10 S.C.R. ' A (5) The GAIL shall co=ence supply of gas to the industries by June 30, 1997. As soon as the gas supply to an industry co=ences, the supply of coke/coal to the said industry shall be stopped with immediate effect. " (6) The Corporation/Government shall finally decide and allot alter- native plots, before March 31,1997, to the industries which are seeking B relocation.
· (7) The relocating industries shall set up their respective units in the new industrial estates outside TTZ. The relocating industries shall not function.and operate in TTZ beyond December 31, 1997. The closure by December 31, 1997 is unconditional and irrespective of the fact whether c the new unit outside TTZ is completely set up or not.
(8) The Deputy Commissioner, Agra and the Superintendent (Police), Agra shall effect the closure of all the industries on December 31, 1997 which are to be relocated by that date as directed by us. D (9) The U.P. State Government/Corporation shall render all assis- , tance to the industries in the process of relocation. The allotment of plots, construction of factory buildings, etc. and issuance of any licence/permis- sions, etc., sh~ be expedited and granted on priority basis.
E (10) In order to facilitate shifting of industries from TTZ, the State Government and all other authorities shall set up unified single agency consisting of all the departments concerned to act as a nodal agency to sort out all the problems of such industries. The single windows facility shall be set up by the U.P. State Government within one month from today. The Registry shall co=unicate this direction separately to the Chief Secretary, ... F Secretary (Industries) and Chairman/Managing Director, UPSIDC along with a copy of this judgment. We make it clear that no further time shall be allowed to set up the single window facility.
(11) The State Government shall frame a scheme for the use of the land which would become available on account of shifting/relocation of G industries before June 30, 1997. The State Government may seek guidance in this respect from the order of this Court dated May 10, 1996 in I.A. No. 22 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 4677 of 1985.
{12) The shifting industries on the relocation in the new .industrial , H estates shall be given incentives in terms of the provisions of the Agra
M.C. MEHTA v. U.0.1. [KULDIP SINGH, J.] 1039 ··' Master Plan and also the incentives which are normally extended to new ti. industries in new industrial estates.
(13) The workmen empl6yed in the above-mentioned 292 industries shall be entitled to the rights and benefits as indicated hereunder :-
(a). The workmen shall have continuity of ·employment at the new town and place where the industry is shifted. The terms and conditions of their employment shall not be altered to their detriment.
(b) The period between the closure of the industry in Agra and its restart at the place of relocation shall be treated as active employment and the workmen shall be paid their full wages with· continuity of service. c (c) All those workmen who agree to shift with the industry shall be given one year's wages as 'shifting bonus' to help them settle at the new location. The said bonus shall be paid before January 31, 1998.
(d) The workmen employed in the industries who do not intend to D relocate/obtain natural gas and opt for closure, shall be deemed to have been retrenched by May 31, 1997, provided they have been in continuous service (as defined in Section 25cB of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947) for not less than one year in the Industries concerned before the said date. They shall be paid compensation in terms of Section 25-F(b) of the E Industrial Disputes Act. These workmen shall also be paid, in addition, six years' wages as additional compensation.
(e) The compensation payable to the workmen in terms of this judgment shall be paid by the management within two months of the retrenchment. F
(t) The gratuity amount payable to any workman shall be paid in addition.
Before parting with this judgment, we may indicate that the industries in the TTZ other than 292 industries shall be dealt with separately. We G .... direct the Board to issue individual notices and also public notice to the remaining industries in the TTZ to apply for gas connection/relocation within one month of the notice by the Board. The Board shall issue notice within one month from today. The matter to come up for further monitor- ing in this respect before this Court on April 4, 1997. H
1040 SUPREME COURTREPORTS(1996] SUPP.10 s:c.R.
A · We may also indicate that this Court by order dated May 10, 1996 has stopped the operation of all the brick kilns in the TIZ with effect from August 15, 1996. This Court by order dated September 4, 1996 has directed that the fly-ash produced in the process of the functioning of thermal plants may be supplied to the brick kilns for the construction of bricks. This would B. be a useful step to eliminate the pollution caused by fly-ash.
This Court is separately monitoring the following issues for control- ling air pollution in 'ITZ :
(a) The setting up ofhydrocracker unit and various other devices by C the Mathura Refinery.
(b) The setting up of 50 bed hospital and two mobile dispensaries by the Mathura Refinery to provide medical aid to the people living in the surrounding areas (Court order dated August 7, 1996).
D (c) Construction of Agra bypass to divert all the traffic which passes through the city. Under directions of this Court, 24 kms' stretch of the bypass shall be completed by the end of December 1996 (Court- order dated April 10, 1996).
E · (d) Additional amount of Rs. 99.54 crores sanctioned by the Planning Commission to be utilised by the State Government for the construction of electricity supply projects to ensure 100 per cent uninterrupted electricity to the ITZ. This is necessary to stop the operation of generating sets which are major source of air pollution in the ITZ (Court orders dated April 10, 1996, May 10, 1996, August 30, 1996, September 4,1996 and September 10, F 1996). - (e) The construction of Gokul Barrage, water supply work of Gokul Barrage, roads around Gokul Barrage, Agra Barrage and water supply .of Agra barrage, have also been undertaken on a time schedule basis to supply drinking water to the residents of Agra and to bring life into river Yamuna which is next to the Taj (Court order dated May 10, 1996 and August 30, 1996).
(t) Green belt as recommended by NEERI has been set up around Taj. Pursuant to continuous monitoring of this Court, the Green Belt has become a reality.
M.C. MEHTAv. U.0.1. [KULDIP SINGH, J.) 1041
(g) This Court suggested to the Planning Commission by order dated A September 4, 1996 to consider sanctioning separate allocation for the city of Agra and the creation of separate cell under the control of Central Government to safeguard and preserve the Taj, the city of Agra and other national heritage monuments in the TT.
(h) All emporia and shops functioning within the Taj premises have B been directed to be closed. ,
(i) Directions have been issued to the Government of India to decide the issue, pertaining to declaration of Agra as heritage city, within twp months. . I c We are mentioning these issues dealt with by this Court because it may be necessary to monitor some of these matters to take them to a logical extent. This Collrt may look into these matters on April 4, 1997.
The issue relating to 292. industries is thus disposed of. D V.S.S. Petition disposed of.
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