NGT Questions Operation of Pesticide Unit in Tiruvallur Without Necessary Approvals

The National Green Tribunal’s Southern Bench has expressed concerns over a pesticide and insecticide unit in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, potentially operating without required approvals. The suspicion arose from a petition filed by Rajesh Khanna, alleging unauthorized operation and pollution caused by the factory.

While the pesticide company applied for Consent to Operate (CTO) on March 12 and received it after an inspection, the tribunal noted inconsistencies in the manufacturing date mentioned in the unit’s product pamphlet, which indicated production in December 2022. This led the Bench to question whether the unit might have been operational even before obtaining the CTO.

The tribunal directed the unit to provide a response, while the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) was tasked with verifying the observations.