NGT slaps notices on 24 vehicle service centres, 13 auto manufacturers

BHOPAL: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to 24 automobile service centres and 13 automobile manufacturers for flouting environmental norms. In all NGT has issued notices to 42 respondents, including urban administration and environment, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), MP central discom and pollution control board and sought reply on September 9. NGT admitted petition on the issue on Friday.

Among automobile companies issued notices are Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra, TVS, Mitsubishi, General Motors (GM), Toyota, Volkswagen and Honda.

This is the first time that parent companies of service centres have been made parties in the case. A similar case filed by Jagmohan Patidar also deals with service centres disposing hazardous waste improperly.

As per information collected under Right to Information (RTI) Act, petition claims that the respondents are flouting air, water and hazardous waste management rules. Also, the plea it to shut down seven service centres immediately besides fining each Rs 5 lakh under polluter pays principle.

Besides, it has been pleaded that 18 service centres which haven’t filed compliance reports should also be fined Rs 5 lakh each and made to submit compliance in 15 days. Also, automobile companies have been issued show-cause why they didn’t inspect service centres before allotting them dealership of particular companies.

Petition also sought that 17 errant service centres, already issued closure notices by MPPCB in Jagmohan Patidar’s case should have their water and power connections disconnected.

Petitioner’s counsel Shivendu Joshi stressed on compliance report and water monitoring report of each of the service centres for last five years.