NGT Panel Flags Environmental Gaps at ACC Cement Plant in Himachal Pradesh
The ACC Cement plant in Barmana, Himachal Pradesh, has come under scrutiny after a joint committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) identified several environmental compliance gaps. These lapses have raised significant concerns about air pollution in the region, which has been an ongoing issue for local residents. A team comprising Bilaspur’s Subdivisional Magistrate (SDM) Abhishek Garg, Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) regional officer Pawan Sharma, and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) scientist Narender Sharma conducted an inspection at the ACC cement facility on January 18, 2025. The inspection uncovered deficiencies in the plant’s environmental safeguards, despite prior directives from the HPSPCB.
Among the most concerning issues was the emission of dust from clinker, ash, and cement silos, which contributed to pollution in the area. Although the plant had installed metal sheets and nets near a local residence to mitigate dust, the height of these barriers was deemed insufficient for effective dust control. Furthermore, while the facility had implemented a truck wheel washing system to reduce dust dispersion, the committee found that the system lacked a mechanism to remove oil and grease from wastewater before it was recycled for washing purposes. One of the key environmental measures that the cement plant failed to implement was a three-layer tree plantation system, which is required to mitigate air and noise pollution. The absence of this system further highlighted the plant’s insufficient efforts to address environmental concerns.
The report also acknowledged the installation of 111 air pollution control devices at the plant, including 109 bag filters and two electrostatic precipitators. These devices were meant to capture dust generated during the production process. However, despite these measures, the plant had received seven complaints over the past three years related to environmental violations. In April 2022, the HPSPCB imposed an environmental compensation penalty of ₹1.29 crore on the company due to air pollution and untreated wastewater discharge. ACC Cement paid the fine, but concerns about ongoing compliance remain. Additionally, a previous ruling by the NGT in 2015 had resulted in a ₹50 lakh fine for similar violations at the Barmana plant, highlighting a pattern of environmental issues at the site. At the time of the most recent inspection, the plant was undergoing its annual maintenance shutdown and operating at only 25% capacity, with mining and crushing activities halted. The committee has requested an additional eight weeks to conduct a follow-up inspection when the plant is fully operational.
The NGT’s investigation was triggered by a petition from Kashmir Thakur, a resident of Barmana, who alleged that airborne dust from the cement plant was contaminating local roads, pathways, and residential areas. Thakur further claimed that ACC Cement had failed to manage emissions effectively, despite the plant’s years of operation. The tribunal is now set to review the findings and is expected to make further decisions on the matter in the coming weeks. As the plant’s environmental record continues to come under the spotlight, local residents and environmental groups are calling for stricter measures to ensure the protection of the region’s air quality and overall environmental health. The ongoing case serves as a reminder of the challenges in balancing industrial growth with environmental protection, especially in areas that host high-polluting industries. The outcome of the NGT’s review could pave the way for stronger regulatory measures to ensure that companies like ACC Cement adhere to environmental norms and safeguard the health of surrounding communities.
