Budgam, August 6,: The Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) has ordered the closure of ten car washing and automobile service stations across Budgam district this year in June for allegedly operating without mandatory environmental clearances, directing authorities to disconnect their electricity and water supply with immediate effect.
The action, as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust follows inspections by the Pollution Control Committee, which found that the establishments were functioning without obtaining the statutory Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The Committee also observed that the units had not adopted the prescribed pollution control measures despite being served notices earlier this year.
Among the establishments ordered to shut are M/s Rahim Motors at Industrial Estate Rangreth owned by Abdul Hamid Bhat, M/s Yatoo Service Station at Chadoora owned by Bilal Ahmad Yatoo, M/s Turbo Motors at Kralpora, Chadoora owned by Adnan Mehraj Bhat, M/s Allie Automobiles at Mochowa owned by Muhammad Amin Allie, M/s A Star Working Point at Mochowa owned by Shahnawaz Ahmad Allie, M/s Bismillah Motors at Chadoora owned by Muhammad Rafiq Thakur, M/s Vehicle Care at Chadoora owned by Zareena Akhter and M/s A-One Car Wash at Chadoora owned by Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh.
Under the orders, the Executive Engineers of KPDCL and the Jal Shakti Department in Budgam were directed to disconnect electricity and water connections to the units, while the Deputy Commissioner, Budgam was asked to ensure implementation of the directions.
The Pollution Control Committee maintained that car washing units fall under the “Orange Category” of industries and cannot operate without statutory consent and adequate pollution control infrastructure, warning that violations of environmental laws would invite stringent action. [KNT]
