IOCL Pays Rs 42 Crore Fine as Environmental Restoration Plans Lag

The IndianOil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has paid a fine of Rs 42 crore for environmental damage caused by its refinery in the Panipat district of Haryana, India. This compensation is part of an ongoing issue that began when local villagers raised concerns about pollution affecting their health and environment. Despite the payment made in 2019 and additional fines imposed later, a comprehensive action plan for environmental restoration has not been implemented over the past four years.

The situation escalated when Satpal Singh, former sarpanch of Singhpura-Sithana village, filed a complaint with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2018. Singh and other village leaders alleged that emissions from the IOCL refinery were causing severe air and water pollution in surrounding areas, including Bohli, Dadlana, and Singhpura. The complaint highlighted serious health issues among residents, including chronic skin allergies and respiratory problems, attributed to the pollution from the refinery.

In response to the complaint, the NGT ordered a joint inspection by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), and the District Magistrate of Panipat. The inspection revealed significant environmental violations, including non-compliance of effluent treatment plant (ETP) samples and excessive levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. The findings prompted the NGT to impose an interim environmental compensation of Rs 17.31 crore in 2019, followed by an additional Rs 25 crore in July 2020 for ongoing restoration efforts.

Unmet Promises and Continuing Concerns

Despite the substantial amounts deposited with the CPCB, little progress has been made in restoring the environment. The funds were intended for various initiatives, including health camps and environmental monitoring systems, but proposals from relevant departments languished without action. The HSPCB requested detailed action plans from health, public health engineering, and forest departments to address the pollution issues.

In recent developments, the district administration has revived efforts to implement the necessary actions. Meetings have been held to discuss revised proposals for restoring the environment. District Magistrate-cum-Deputy Commissioner Virender Kumar Dahiya has taken a proactive role, directing the health and forest departments to submit updated plans and initiate a plantation drive near the refinery.

The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) has proposed to install deep tubewells and lay pipelines to improve water quality in nearby villages. Meanwhile, the Health Department plans to procure a mobile medical van to provide health services and conduct regular check-ups in affected areas. The IOCL has also been instructed to install online continuous emission monitoring stations on local drains to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

Next Steps for Environmental Recovery

With renewed urgency, the district administration aims to expedite the implementation of these proposals. Officials are tasked with verifying land availability for the plantation initiatives and ensuring that sewer lines are laid in affected villages. The ongoing situation serves as a reminder of the critical need for timely action in environmental restoration and community health protection.

Residents of the impacted villages continue to hope for effective measures that will address their grievances and restore their environment. The long-awaited action plans represent not just a regulatory requirement but a vital step towards improving the quality of life for those living near the IOCL refinery.