‘Guindy polymer unit can’t run beyond permitted time’

Chennai

The petitioner, K Saravanan of Ekkatuthangal, Guindy, had sought the tribunal to restrain the plastic manufacturing unit from operating between 6 pm and 6 am.

“The corporation has already issued notice to the unit for operating during night time. Further, this extended operation is allegedly causing health hazards in the locality. So, the government authorities should close the unit permanently, which is functioning without consent and in violation of environmental laws,” the petitioner argued. Countering this, the firm submitted that it is manufacturing a life-saving instrument.

“We were compelled to operate beyond the time to meet the demand due to COVID-19. We will apply for an extension of working hours with the authorities concerned, and till then we may be permitted to operate,” counsel for the firm said. Recording the submissions, Justice K Ramakrishnan and expert member Saibal Dasgupta said, “If the unit is not permitted to operate beyond 6 pm, it is expected to follow the same. We direct the unit not to operate until the timing changed or the working hours are modified by the competent authority.”

The bench said that if the firm obtains necessary permission, then this order will not prevent them from continuing the operation but it is expected to maintain the pollution norms if operated during night.

“The authorities are at liberty to consider that application and pass appropriate orders with conditions, taking into account the conformity of the pollution norms to be followed without causing any disturbance to the residents,” it said.