Jammu

The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the closure of 158 stone crushers and hot mix plants between January 1, 2021 and January 1, 2026, for operating in violation of environmental norms, the Assembly was informed on Friday.

Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Javed Ahmed Rana, replying to a question by MLA Ajaz Ahmad Jan, said the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) issued closure directions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

He said industrial units are permitted to operate only after meeting prescribed pollution control standards and installing mandatory pollution control devices. Legal action is initiated against violators in accordance with the directions of the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court.

Rana said all riverbed mining projects in the Union Territory are regulated through the environmental clearance mechanism and must comply with the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016.

Additional measures include water sprinkling to suppress dust, covered transportation of materials and restriction of mining operations to approved hours, he added.

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The minister further said advanced tools such as remote sensing and GIS are being used to verify siting criteria and distance certificates to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.