ORDER

1. Mr. Kiritsinh Chhatrasinh Sindha and others have sent by email the present letter petition to this Tribunal, which has been treated and registered as O.A. No. 206/2024, complaining about leakage of bromine gas resulting in hospitalization of 28 persons.

2. The relevant part of the letter petition enumerating grievances of the applicants is reproduced as follows:-

“X X X X Respected Sir, Various Serious News Reports.

1. Times of India, Dt.23/8/2023.

( Bromine Gas Leaked at PI Industries Ltd, Vill. Sarod, Tal. Jambusar, Dist. Bharuch, 28 person Hospitalised, Related Serious News Reports. )

httpsJ/youtu.be/S3w0oeVGKAY?si=11 f hcPAMF hF4E

2.

PI Industries Ltd, Vill. Sarod, Tal. Jambusar joint Continue Chemical Accidents with Human Deaths related serious news reports.

https://youtu.be/T-NqkL6jHPc?si=Xkva-r5VgB4zkdwt https://youtu.be/jw xvO6gPPg?si=Wv5sFrDFG-BdITmN PI Industries Ltd, Vill. Sarod, Tal. Jambusar, Dist. Bharuch related, continue unke chemical accidents related major serious issue, with ECPL Canal & Bharuch district with Vadodara District joint continue Ground water pollution & Continue air Pollutions related major serious issue ki samagra gabhirta se aap puri tarah se vakef ho.

MoEFCC, Proposal No. IA/GJ/IND3/285811/2022, File No.IA-J- 11011/6/2017-IA-II(I) k liye, PI Industries Ltd, Vill. Sarod, Tal. Jambusar, Dist. Bharuch related ruparokt continue chemical accidents related major serious issue k liye, unke all revenue servey number wise unke all chemical plants k liye, immediately Central Crisis Group(MoEFCC) and Expert Appraisal Committee( MoEFCC) k star se, immediately, nutral joint inspection karvane k baad hi MoEFCC, Proposal No. IA/GJ/IND3/285811/2022, File No.IA-J- 11011/6/2017-IA-II(I) k liye, Unke EC approval & Continue unke Chemical accidents related major serious issue with, ECPL Canal joint continue Bharuch District & Vadodara District joint continue air Pollutions & Ground water pollutions related major serious issue with Vadodara & Bharuch District joint Continue Major Chemical accidents related serious issue ki samagra gambhirta k liye, aap Shri O k star se, immediately, Crisis Group(MoEFCC) and Expert Appraisal Committee( MoEFCC) k star se immediately nutral joint visit k sath unke star se nutral karyavahi karvake, unke action taken reports k sath immediately hame vigatvar inform karvaye, pl.

Put up urgent, pl.”

3. Prima facie the averments made in the application raise substantial questions relating to environment arising out of the implementation of the enactments specified in Schedule-I to the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. 4. In view of the averments made in the application, we consider it appropriate that a Joint Committee be constituted to verify the factual position and suggest appropriate remedial action. Accordingly, we constitute a Joint Committee comprising of representatives of Central Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Pollution Control Board and District Magistrate, Bharuch and direct the same to meet within two weeks, undertake visits to the site, look into the grievances of the applicants, associate the applicants and representative of the concerned project proponents, verify the factual position and suggest appropriate remedial action. The Gujarat State Pollution Control Board will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance.

5. Even though in the present case cognizance has been taken by this Bench on the basis of letter petition received by post with approval and assignment under order of Hon’ble Chairperson, but in view of the facts and circumstances of the case including the fact that the place of accrual of cause of action lies within jurisdiction of the Western Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Pune, we are of the considered view that it will be appropriate if the case is further heard by the Western Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Pune.

6. Accordingly, the Registry is directed to list the matter before the Western Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Pune on 08.07.2024 after obtain