The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter of the Bus falls into soil mine pit in Durg.
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item appearing in the daily newspaper dated 10.04.2024.
The news item discloses that 12 people have died and injury has been caused to 14 as a bus they were on fell into a ‘morum’ soil mine pit in Chhattisgarh’s Durg District on 09.04.2024 night.
As per the report, a bus with more than 30 people onboard skidded off the road and plunged into a 40 feet deep ‘morum’ mine resulting into 12 deaths.
The news item does not disclose the details of the person who was responsible for creating a 40 feet deep pit on account of ‘morum’ mining and leaving it unguarded without a barricade.
The Counsel for Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board has submitted that a magisterial enquiry has been directed and barricading of the pit has been done. He submits that once the person responsible for the illegal mining and leaving the pit open is traced out, action for imposition of environmental compensation will be taken.
He submits that the distillery company where the workers were employed has paid the compensation of Rs. 10 lakh each to the family members of the deceased workers.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
(1). Central Pollution Control Board through its Member Secretary.
(2). Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board, Raipur through its Member Secretary.
(3). District Collector/District Magistrate, Durg.
Since the matter relates to the Central Zonal Bench, Bhopal , therefore, the Bench transferred the matter to the Central Zonal Bench, for appropriate further action. Office is directed by the NGT to transfer the original record to the Central Zonal Bench and the matter is listed on 28.05.2024.