HPCL refinery: State considered environmental issues before nod

Union Ministry of Environment and Forests told the Bombay High Court that it had considered all aspects with respect to environmental concerns before giving the nod for a residential project near the Hindustan Petroleum refinery in Chembur.

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on Monday told the Bombay High Court that it had considered all aspects with respect to environmental concerns before giving the nod for a residential project near the Hindustan Petroleum refinery in Chembur.

We had set up an expert appraisal committee,which had met thrice and examined all aspects pertaining to environmental hazards. A considered decision was then taken in 2008 to clear the project, counsel for the MoEF,Rajiv Chavan,said.

The lawyer further told the court that the building is far away from the refinery and all necessary permissions have been acquired for it.

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Responding to the lawyers statement,the court then asked if the ministry would take the responsibility if an untoward incident takes place. We saw what happened in Kolkata…such things can happen only in our country, Justice P B Majmudar said.

The court was hearing a petition filed by HPCL,which opposes the ongoing construction of a residential structure in the vicinity of its refinery in Chembur. The dispute pertains to a proposed 23-storey building in the area. The land belongs to Oswal Agro Mills Ltd,which was originally owned by Union Carbide.

The court has directed that the interim stay on further construction for the project should continue.

In the previous hearing,the court had noted that the refinery is not an innocuous industry and could pose serious health hazards. Justice Majmudar had further stated that prima facie,it appeared the state government had not given adequate thought while permitting the conversion of the area from an industrial zone to a commercial zone,which includes residential premises.

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The judges have asked HPCL to file an affidavit replying to MoEFs contentions and have adjourned the case till January 10.

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HPCL refinery: State considered environmental issues before nod

Union Ministry of Environment and Forests told the Bombay High Court that it had considered all aspects with respect to environmental concerns before giving the nod for a residential project near the Hindustan Petroleum refinery in Chembur.

Union Ministry of Environment and Forests told the Bombay High Court that it had considered all aspects with respect to environmental concerns before giving the nod for a residential project near the Hindustan Petroleum refinery in Chembur.