BHOPAL: NGT's 'oversight committee', led by Justice (retd) Rajesh Kumar, has set a 60-day deadline to power companies in Singrauli to completely stop using public roads for transportation of coal. 

The committee was in Singrauli for three days from February 27 during which it inspected several firms. When power generation companies said that there was no option than transporting coal by road, the panel made it clear that there cannot be any relaxation this matter. Justice Kumar asked the companies to approach NGT and get its order - on the ban on coal transportation - amended.

This panel was constituted by NGT on August 28, 2018, to monitor implementation of its directions. While hearing a petition by Ashwani Kumar Dubey, a Supreme Court lawyer, against pollution in Singrauli and Sonebhadra (UP), NGT had made it clear that if any of the industries in these regions fail to comply, they will be shut down. Flyash and dust caused by road transportation of coal continues to be a major problem in the region.

The committee comprises the chairman, Justice (retd) Rajesh Kumar, representatives of Central Pollution Control Board, MP PCB and Uttar Pradesh PCB, and district magistrates of Sonebhadra and Singrauli districts. It was assigned to take stock of all action taken so far and preparing a time-bound action plan to deal with problems.