Chandigarh: In an exercise aimed at tightening scrutiny over the source of raw material used by stone crushers, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) is assessing the carrying capacity of legitimate sources supplying raw material to the units.The verification is aimed at determining whether stone crushers can meet their raw material requirements through legitimate sources within the available carrying capacity, without relying on unauthorised extraction. It will also examine compliance with Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockists and Retailers Act, 2025, Punjab State Minor Mineral (Amendment) Policy, 2025, and Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockists and Retailers Rules, 2025.The exercise is being carried out in connection with proceedings before National Green Tribunal, which is hearing a case concerning illegal mining in Ropar. The matter is being heard by a bench comprising NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad.In an additional status report, PPCB informed that it had sought data from water resources department to ascertain the carrying capacity of legitimate sources of raw material for stone crushers, as required under the registration and consent conditions applicable to the units. According to the report, executive engineer, drainage-cum-mining and geology division, Ropar, informed PPCB that there are 171 stone crushers in the district. The information provided indicated that most of the stone crushers were sourcing raw material from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.PPCB had sought data regarding the carrying capacity of legitimate sources of raw material from the Executive Engineers of Rupnagar and Anandpur Sahib divisions. An earlier report was found to be inconclusive, following which Board sought revised and more detailed information.On the compliance status of the stone crushers, the report said 10 units were found compliant, while 72 were found non-compliant and 60 partially compliant. Another 25 units were found closed. Thus, the 72 non-compliant units account for over 42% of the 171 stone crushers in the district. Notices have been issued to all 72 stone crushers found to be in violation of the provisions of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Besides this, advisories have been issued to all 60 crushers found to be partially compliant, directing them to comply with the provisions of these Acts and the prescribed Code of Practice.During the previous hearing, Tribunal had directed the concerned authorities to ensure that no illegal mining takes place in the district. PPCB had sought one week’s time to submit a comprehensive report on all the crushing units.
