The National Green Tribunal established that CPCB siting criteria applies to both schools and colleges, reinforcing safety regulations against establishing petrol pumps too close to educational institutions.

Judgment

PRONOUNCED BY: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR TYAGI, JM

1. The applicant-Mr. Harvinder Singh filed an application/complaint bearing Diary No. 0701116011382023 (O.A.) (F/A) on 22.05.2023 through e- filing along with court fee of Rs. 1100/- but due to the same being defective for not filing of proper application/complaint, the applicant was asked to remove the defect on which the applicant refiled the proper complaint/application on 26.05.2023 which has been registered as O.A. No. 408/2023.

2. The applicant has raised grievances about grant of permission by the officers of the Indian Oil Corporation and grant of NOC by the officers of the District Administration, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana for establishment of petrol pump in the premises of Hindu Girls College and School, Jagadhri, District Yamuna Nagar by ignoring the byelaws, rules and regulations and safety of the children with the prayer for directing cancellation of the NOC.

3. The relevant part of the application enumerating grievances of the applicant is reproduced as under:-

“Subject:- Complaint against the officers who were negligent in issuing petrol pump of Indian Oil Corporation by ignoring the byelaws, rule and regulation and safety of the children in the premises of Hindu Girls College and Hindu Girls School, Jagadhri, District Yamuna Nagar and complaint against the officials of District Administration Yamuna Nagar (Haryana) for illegally issuing the NOC for petrol pump of the aforesaid premises and cancelled the NOC or passed stay orders against the said NOC

X X X

1. That the applicant Harvinder Singh S/o Shri Sardar Govind Singh, Resident of House No. C 2/1854, Budia Gate, Jagadhri, District Yamuna Nagar, Haryana and am a law abiding and peace loving person. I am a social worker and RTI Activist.

2. That the Indian Oil Corporation has issued letter no.

45154037444376 dated 01.02.2020 regarding the release of a petrol pump to Mr. Pushpesh, at the above mentioned place (in the premises of Hindu Girls College Jagadhri). In which NGT rules have been flouted. Even the local administration has issued No Objection Certificates illegally, without keeping the safety of girl students of Hindu Girls College and School. There will be no justification either.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also issued guideline for setting up a Petrol/fuel pump vide OA No. 86/2019 dated 18-01-2019 which are as follow:-

In case of sitting criteria for petrol pumps new Retail Outlets shall not be located within a radial distance of 50meters (from fill point/dispensing units/vent pipe whichever is nearest) from Schools, Hospitals (10 beds and above) and residential areas designated as per local laws. In case of constraints in providing 50 metres distance, the retail outlet shall implement additional safety measures as prescribed by PESO. In no case the distance between new Retail outlet from schools, hospital (10 beds and above) and residential area designated as per local laws shall be less than 30 metres. No high tension line shall be pass over the retail outlet.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recently issued guidelines to establish petrol pumps. These instructions have been issued because of the poor impact of petrol pumps on the environment. The Central Pollution Control Board has issued new guidelines keeping in view the directives of the National Green Tribunal.

According to these guidelines any petrol pump cannot be established in 50 metres radius of a school, hospital or residential area. CPCB also asked the concern authorities to issue challan if violations of rules are found.

But in the present case,