NGT Intervention Leads to Closure of Illegal Cement Brick Unit

SRINAGAR: The District Administration of Bandipora has sealed a cement hollow brick manufacturing unit operating illegally in the Naidkhai area, following an order from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) which overruled a previous interim relief granted by the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Srinagar.

The action was taken after months of inaction by local officials, despite repeated complaints by residents and directives from the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC). The unit, which was located dangerously close to a Government Higher Secondary School and nearby residential houses, was found to be in violation of both the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

The case was brought to light by local resident Zahoor Ahmad Dar, who after exhausting all administrative remedies, including appeals to the Tehsildar, SDM Sumbal, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, and the Governor’s Grievance Cell, approached the NGT for redressal.

Though the JKPCC had issued a closure order on May 27, 2024, the unit owner secured an interim stay from the CJM Srinagar. Legal experts later noted that the CJM lacked jurisdiction in the matter, as civil courts are barred from entertaining cases under Section 58 of the Water Act.

On January 21, 2025, the NGT’s Principal Bench, headed by Justice Prakash Srivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad, observed that the CJM’s interim relief was beyond jurisdiction. The NGT directed the JKPCC to bring this to the court’s attention for correction.

Consequently, on July 15, 2025, Chief Judicial Magistrate Aadil Mushtaq Ahmad vacated the earlier order and dismissed the plea for interim relief. Acting on this, the JKPCC approached the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, who through Additional Deputy Commissioner directed the Tehsildar Hajin on July 22 to seal the unit.

Local residents expressed relief and gratitude to the judiciary and the JKPCC. “We had lost faith in the system. A small issue could have been resolved locally, but we were forced to move from pillar to post. Thankfully, the NGT intervened,” said Zahid Ahmad, son of petitioner Zahoor Ahmad Dar.