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Judgment
This litigation has been introduced by some citizens who are residing at Thakurpalli Road, Krishnanagar, being perturbed by air pollution by noise and apprehensive of danger from unsafe use of CNG cylinders. According to the petitioners unless the preventive measures are taken against the deviant actions by the agencies or the authorities entrusted to enforce the statutory regulation and measures, the people living around the TRTC complex, Krishnanagar in particular would continue to suffer health hazards from noise pollution and reel under risk or danger of unsafe use of the CNG gas cylinders. That apart, the petitioners have complained of congestion in the road created by the vehicles on wait in queue which come to the CNG filling station at Krishnanagar, T.R.T.C. complex for filling up of cylinders installed in their vehicles.
In Para 17 of the writ petition, the petitioners have averred as under:
"Due to the operation of the CNG Station, High Level of Sound is created and such level of sound is beyond the permissible limit. There has been constant sound pollution and as a result thereof, the health of the local people have been seriously affected. The local people cannot sleep, cannot take rest comfortably due to the sound pollution. The noise level is certainly beyond the permissible limit. Aged people cannot sleep even at night. Those who are ailing cannot take rest due to the sound pollution. Heart patients are suffering tremendously due to noise pollution. It is necessary to refer to the report prepared by the Tripura State Pollution Control Board in respect to the noise pollution being created due to the operation of the T.R.T.C. CNG Station. Prof. Mihir Kumar Deb, the then Chairman of Tripura State Pollution Control Board, by letter, dated, 16.06.2014, informed the Managing Director, Tripura Natural Gas Company Ltd. that the Noise Level in CNG Station is beyond permissible limit. In the aforesaid letter dated 16.06.2014, the Chairman, TSPCB pointed out that, permissible noise level in residential area is 55 db during day time ( 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. ) and 45 db during night time (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.). It is beyond question that T.R.T.C. area is a residential area and noise created due to the operation of the CNG T.R.T.C. Station is much above the permissible limit. It is also necessary to mention that [the] Chairman Tripura State Pollution Control Board by [the] letter dated 10.10.2013, asked the Managing Director, Tripura Natural Gas Company Ltd. not to run round the clock operation of the Krishnanagar CNG Station."
According to the petitioners, the referred activities constitute public nuisance and it generates common injury, danger and annoyance. Such activities are punishable offence. Negligent conduct in respect of combustible and explosive substances is punishable under Sections 268 and 285 of IPC. But it does not appear from the records that the petitioners had at any point of time lodged any complaint to prosecute the Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited [TNGC Ltd. in short]. Fundamentally, the allegations are against the TNGC Ltd., the respondent No.6, as the concerned CNG filling station has been set up by them. By filing a reply, the respondent No.6 in order to repeal the allegations has contended that the said CNG filling station has been established with (i) approval of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization [PESO in short] under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India in terms of Gas Cylinder Rules,2004 and (ii) the Certificate for consent to establish issued by the Tripura State Pollution Control Board [TSPCB in short] under Sections 25 and 26 of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,1974 and under Section 21 of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and (iii) No Objection Certificate issued from the District Magistrate & Collector, West Tripura District.
The said CNG station has become operational with license of PESO which is valid till 30.09.2023. According to the respondent No.6, apprehensions of the petitioners in respect of danger from the CNG management if exaggerated, inasmuch as for ensuring all precautionary measures for safety, the layout of the filling station was drawn up as per the guidelines of PESO. Standard fire warning system has also been installed to guard against the accidental leakage. It has been further submitted that use of CNG, as alternative to the petroleum fuel in the vehicles, has become the order of the day. Allegations that the safety measures in the CNG station at T.R.T.C. complex are being maintained by the persons who were not trained has been seriously disputed by the respondent No.6. The respondent No.6 has categorically made a statement in their reply that by the notification dated 02.04.2014, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment [DSTE in short], Government of Tripura has categorized the said locality as the residential zone [mixed with commercial spots], and on that basis, treating the Bus depot as the residential zone, the TSPCB has opined that, the level of sound at the vicinity of the said CNG filling station is beyond permissible limit. If in that premise, the said locality is treated as the commercial zone, the sound level in the vicinity be found very much within the permissible level i.e. 75 dB [65 dB + 10 dB] at any day and 65 dB [55 dB + 10 dB] at night.
The Respondent No.6, however, has admitted that for uninterrupted security, improvement, both technical and institutional are needed in order to ensure zero tolerance for any lapse particularly in the context of safety. In this back- drop, winding up the CNG station as is not the remedy as suggested by the petitioners but the marked improvement in safety aspects. The said respondent has seriously opposed the suggestion of dismantling the CNG station.
Mr. P. Roy Barman, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners has submitted that considering their highly aberrant activities and in consideration that the TSPCB has not renewed/issued the consent to operate which is pre- requisite to operate such unit. The respondent No.11, the TSPCB, has by filing their reply has provided the catalogue of initiatives taken by them to curb the noise pollution in the said locality. In their reply, they have asserted that the noise level registered there is much higher than the permissible limit. The TSPCB has directed the unit not to operate after 10 p.m. and before 6 a.m. According to them, the said restriction would be imposed very shortly. Initiative has been taken to curb the congestion in and around the said CNG station. The TSPCB by their letter dated 06.06.2013 had requested the Managing Director, TNGC Ltd. to take required steps for ensuring that the citizens living around the TRTC area get the noise free environment. They have also affirmed that the said unit is operational without the proper consent. On 31.07.2013, the Chief Manager (P), TNGC Ltd. wrote a letter to the TSPCB informing that they have taken steps to reduce the sound generated from the CNG station on emergent basis. However, the TSPCB have clearly stated that they have not issued any notice to the TNGC Ltd. to shift the said CNG station to any other suitable location. They have placed the data collected from that area in their reply.
By filing the reply, the State-respondents have assured this Court that appropriate measures are being taken by them. Some restrictions have already been imposed in respect of operation of the said CNG station. For example, the operation of the CNG station at Krishnanagar has been restricted to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. They have averred that TSPCB had consented to operate the CNG station for a particular period of time. However, they have taken a different view later on and have not issued any 'close down' order. Those respondents have further stated that the said CNG filling station "has been catering pollution free CNG fuel [to meet the] requirement for CNG run vehicles thereby reducing the pollutant components in the air and making the environment healthier for the city dwellers than the otherwise Carbon monoxide components emitted by petrol/diesel run vehicles[sic]." The TNGC Ltd. is going for new technology as asserted, for reduction of the noise pollution and to bring it down to the permissible limit. The concerned authorities had converged to take stock of the situation on 04.04.2013 and they had exchanged their views on the effective mechanism to alleviate the health risks.
Mr. T. D. Majumder, learned Govt. Advocate has referred to the memorandum dated 29.10.2011 [Annexure R/1 to the counter affidavit] whereby the District Magistrate & Collector, West Tripura District has directed the TNGC Ltd. for pulling in place the following safety measures in particular for running their unit in the said locality:
1) Precautionary measures should be taken to prevent leakage of CNG and Fire Fighting equipments should be installed in the Retail Outlet to prevent outbreak of accidental fires etc:
2) Fire Warning system (Alarm/Siren) should be installed in the Retail Outlet to safeguard against Accidental Pollution/Mishap.
3) Public liability, Insurance coverage should be provided to the workers engaged by the Unit and an on-site Emergency Management Plan should be prepared and submitted to the TSPCB. A copy of the consent Certificate should be displayed in the Office of the Unit and to follow other norms and standard issued by TSPCB from time to time.
4) 'NO SMOKING' board should be exhibited clearly at the visible site of the refilling station.
5) All necessary preventive and safety measures should be taken by the Unit against occurrence of disaster which may affect the surrounding neighbourhood.
6) Provision of separate entrance and exit should be made to avoid traffic congestion, interference and hazardness on the road and to ensure uninterrupted flow of traffic movement.
7) The location and original Layout Plan of the proposed CNG station should be strictly followed and no deviation shall be allowed without prior intimation and approval of the undersigned.
8) Failure to comply with the above terms and conditions and violation of terms and conditions mentioned above shall be liable for cancellation of the "No Objection Certificate."
Any breach of such condition has been assured to be seriously viewed by those respondents.
The petitioners have filed the rejoinder and expressed their discontent with most of the statements made by the respondents. They reiterated their grievance as projected in the writ petition. The TNGC Ltd. has filed one additional affidavit with leave of this Court and stated that in terms of the letter dated 01.01.2014 as issued by the TSPCB, the TNGC Ltd. have made certain modifications those would bring down inconvenience of the local people. Those modifications include, inter alia:
(i) Noise Reduction Panels of sound absorbant material have additionally been installed inside canopy of the compressor;
(ii) Noise Reduction Panels of sound absorbant material have additionally been installed from outside over Blow Down Vessel of Compressor.
They have asserted that it is expected that after such modification the noise would be reduced substantively.
Finally, we have examined the status report submitted by the TSPCB, the respondent No.11, pursuant to the order dated 30.11.2016 passed by us. A Scientific team of the TSPCB conducted the ambient noise level monitoring and measured the ambient noise level at 5 locations surrounding the CNG station at Krishnanagar during operation and without operation of the unit on 16.03.2017. They have consolidated the data regarding the noise level in the following form:
Table: Noise Monitoring Resultant Data from the adjacent area of CNG Station of TRTC, Krishnanagar.
Sl.
No.
Location
Average Noise Level dB(A)
Standard
Increment of 10 dB
Without Operation
During Operation
1.
At the administrative building of TRTC
50.75
68.41
55
65
2.
Near residence of Prof. M.K.Deb (Northern side of the CNG unit)
64.80
63.85
55
65
3.
Near house of Dr. Ashit Debbarma (Northern side of the CNG unit)
62.5
65.46
55
65
4.
Near house of Dr. Salil Bindu Chakraborty
(Adjacent eastern side of the CNG unit)
60.2
60.83
55
65
5.
Near house of Sri Nantu Deb (Adjacent eastern side of the CNG unit)
56.31
59.12
55
65
According to the Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules, 2000 "the noise level at the boundary of the public places, where loudspeaker or public address system or any other noise source is being used shall not exceed 10 dB(A) above the ambient noise standards for the area or 75 dB(A) whichever is lower". Accordingly the standard of noise level may be considered as (55+10)=65 dB for this area.
In all of the five monitoring locations, the noise level were 50.75 dB, 64.80 dB, 62.50 dB, 60.20 dB, and 56.31 dB at the administrative building of TRTC, near residence of Prof. M.K.Deb (Northern side of the CNG unit), near residence of Dr. Ashit Debbarma (Northern side of the CNG unit), in front of the house of Dr. S.B. Chakraborty and in front of house of Sri Nantu Deb (Adjacent eastern side of the CNG unit) respectively [during] without operation of the CNG Dispensing Unit. The noise levels were within prescribed standard level of noise i.e. 65 dB when the CNG unit are not in operation.
It is also observed that the ambient noise levels were 68.41 dB, 63.85 dB, 65.46 dB, 60.83 dB and 59.12 dB at the administrative building of TRTC, near residence of Prof. M.K. Deb (Northern side of the CNG unit), near residence of Dr. Ashit Debbarma (Northern side of the CNG unit), in front of the house of Dr. S.B. Chakraborty and in front of house of Sri Nantu Deb (Adjacent eastern side of the CNG unit) respectively when the CNG unit are in operation. The ambient noise level during operation of the unit were slightly above than the standard noise level (65 dB) in two (02) locations namely [the] administrative building of TRTC (68.41 dB) and near [the] residence of Dr. Ashit Debbarma (65.46 dB). The noise levels in rest three monitoring locations were found within prescribed standard.
It is really noticeable that noise level is mildly above the standard noise level. However, except in the administrative building of the TRTC or near the house of Dr. A. Debbarma just on the northern side of the CNG unit, the level in three other monitoring locations are within the permissible limit.
Mr. Roy Barman, learned counsel has apprised this court that the petitioners will not insist for closing down the CNG unit run by the TNGC Ltd. That apart, we have taken note of the steps taken by the Government and the TSPCB. We still feel that the measures as noted below are to be taken immediately to ensure further reduction of the noise level in the said locality and in order to raise the standard of the safety mechanism:
(i) The periodic monitoring of the noise level has to be carried out by the TSPCB and if it is found that for lax, rashness or negligence of the TNGC Ltd, the noise level has increased, the TSPCB shall not hesitate to take action against the TNGC Ltd. in terms of Section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
(ii) The TNGC Ltd. shall ensure that the upgraded technologies are utilized in the unit to ensure reduction of the noise level so that it cannot shot up beyond the permissible limit at any point of time.
(iii) The TNGC Ltd. shall further ensure the safety measures are live in respect of the gas cylinders filled with combustible substance and handling of the natural gas.
(iv) The TNGC Ltd. shall also ensure the cylinders fitted in the vehicles are tested periodically to avert any danger from their use.
(v) The Transport Department, Government of Tripura shall regulate the movement of the vehicle by appropriate orders so that the roads situated around the TRTC area are not get congested causing annoyance to the local people.
Before parting with the records, it is to be noted that TSPCB is a sentinel in providing the safe environment to our people. They should not be hesitant under any circumstances to take drastic action keeping in mind if they allow aberration to take place or to continue that would let loose a realm of deviant activities brought with disastrous consequence. Therefore, they should monitor, regulate and take punitive action whenever it is so required.
This Court is inclined to note that a sense of duty has emerged for the court monitored actions. Measures taken by the stakeholders have caused marked reduction of noise level. Even the safety standards have augmented to a moderate level. Such proactive action shall continue in the larger public good.
Having observed and directed thus, this petition is disposed of.