Baramulla admin seals illegal macadam plant after pollution complaints

Baramulla, Nov 29: The Baramulla district administration on Saturday sealed an illegally operating macadam plant in the Gantamulla area following persistent complaints from residents about severe air pollution and associated health risks.

The plant, set up near Poshwan Colony by the agency executing the Baramulla–Uri highway project, had been functioning without the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pollution Control Board (PCB). Despite its proximity to several habitations, the unit continued to operate in violation of environmental norms.

District Officer, Pollution Control Board Baramulla, Tariq Ahmad, confirmed that the plant had never been issued an NOC. “It was operating illegally, and we had already reported the matter to the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla,” he said.

Residents of villages including Nowshehra, Gantamulla and Ijara had complained for weeks about thick smoke from the plant, saying it worsened respiratory issues among vulnerable populations, especially the elderly already battling seasonal infections.

“The smoke from the plant was making it difficult for elderly people to breathe,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a local resident.

Following Saturday’s action, villagers expressed relief and welcomed the administration’s prompt response to their long-pending grievance.