4877 Units Found Non-Compliant; Court Orders Immediate Corrective Actions and Strict Monitoring
In a significant move towards enforcing environmental compliance, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the operations of industries without valid environmental clearances. The PIL was initiated following a news report that highlighted the unauthorized functioning of 5961 industrial units, lacking the necessary permissions from the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
The bench, comprising Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi, convened in Indore to address the grave issue of environmental law violations. During the proceedings, it was disclosed that, as of January 9, 2026, a total of 4877 units were still operational without the required renewal of consents to operate (CTO/CCA). This indicates a substantial reduction from the initial figure, attributed to corrective actions taken by the Pollution Control Board.
The court was informed that extensive measures had been undertaken to rectify the situation, including the issuance of 4256 notices demanding the renewal of consents, 2556 closure notices under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and 390 closure orders against persistent defaulters. Additionally, 45 court cases have been initiated against non-compliant units, showcasing a firm stance on environmental adherence.
The court directed the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh to spearhead a coordinated response, involving relevant departments, to ensure compliance with environmental norms. The court emphasized the urgency of updating the data on the XGN portal and completing verification processes within eight weeks.
Recognizing the complexity of the issue, the bench urged the state to submit a comprehensive response, highlighting the critical nature of running industries in violation of statutory provisions. The court has scheduled the next hearing for February 9, 2026, stressing that failure to provide a satisfactory response may necessitate the personal appearance of senior government officials.
This judgment underscores the judiciary's commitment to environmental governance and the enforcement of legal standards for sustainable industrial operations in Madhya Pradesh.
Bottom Line:
Industries operating without valid permissions from the Pollution Control Board are in violation of statutory provisions under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Authorities are directed to ensure compliance with legal norms and take corrective measures promptly.
Statutory provision(s): Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
