146 stone crushers closed in J&K since 2025; 229 legal notices issued for environmental violations, Assembly told

Ziraat Times Team Report

SRINAGAR, SEPT 29: The Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) has inspected 517 stone-crusher units across the Union Territory since January 2025, issuing 229 legal notices and 146 closure directions for violations of environmental and pollution-control norms.

Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment Javed Ahmed Rana provided the details in the Legislative Assembly while replying to a question raised by MLA Ajaz Ahmad Jan.

Of the 517 units inspected, 318 were in Kashmir Division, where 154 legal notices and 112 closure directions were issued.

In Jammu Division, 199 inspections were conducted, resulting in 75 legal notices and 34 closure directions.

The Government said the enforcement action was taken under the relevant provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

Among the violations identified were operation without the requisite No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the concerned Deputy Commissioner, absence of valid consent from the JKPCC and inadequate or missing pollution-control measures.

27 of 58 consent applications approved

The Government informed the House that 58 applications for consent to establish and operate stone crushers had been received between January 1, 2025 and September 29, 2026.

Of these, 27 applications were approved, 28 were rejected and one application was under process.

Rana said permissions for establishing and operating stone crushers were being granted only after compliance with prescribed environmental norms, siting criteria and applicable regulations.

He said the regulatory framework includes JKPCC Order No. 70 of 2025 dated May 9, 2025, along with the subsequent amendment to the siting criteria issued through JKPCC Order No. 124-JKPCC of 2025 dated August 30, 2025.

Four crushers approved in Poonch

The Government also provided details of four stone crushers approved for establishment in Poonch district since January 2025.

The approved units are located in Seeri Chowana, Salotri and Bhainch areas and were granted permission in accordance with the prescribed norms and criteria.