Observing that the reason disclosed “does not appear to be convincing”, the principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has rejected the report submitted by the committee probing the Ludhiana Gas Leak tragedy.

The bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Dr. A Senthil Vel said, “The report on behalf of the Committee has been filed admitting the gas leak incident on 30.04.2023 resulting in death of 11 persons which include the minors also. In the report, the reason for the alleged gas leak is stated to be the escape of gases from the sewer line. The reason so disclosed in the report does not appear to be convincing…”

It further added that the possibility of repetition of such an incident cannot be ruled out, therefore, it is important to ascertain the real cause of gas leak and to fix the responsibility.

The Tribunal stated seven detailed grounds to explain the anomalies which have been submitted in the report. It gave various instances where the committee has given incomplete and contradictory reasons for the gas leak.

“As per the report…the Central Pollution Control Board officer Dr. Gurnam Singh, Regional Director has stated that “due to prolong deposition of sludge in sewer line near Aarti Clinic, anaerobic condition might have been developed and high concentration of H2S find its way into the two houses through their connection of sewer line,” However, as per Annexure M of the report at page 106, CPCB officers who inspected on 03.05.2023 have concluded that pH level of 2.5 – 2.6 as reported in main sewer water near the houses where deaths occurred is a result of acidic industrial effluent discharge,” the bench noted.

Further they have also indicated that industrial discharge is a key factor in releasing of H2S in high concentration, added the Tribunal.

In the light of the above, the NGT opined that a report by an independent Committee is required to be obtained as the issue is “very serious” wherein an incident of gas leak has caused death of as many as 11 persons.

Consequently, the Tribunal constitute a Committee comprising of the Joint Secretary, MoEF&CC, Member Secretary, CPCB and one Professor to be nominated by the Director, IIT Delhi having expertise in the field.

The Tribunal directed the Committee to visit the site, ascertain the cause of the gas leak and also the persons responsible for the same and submit a comprehensive report in this regard to the Tribunal on or before the next date of hearing.

The matter is listed for January 05, 2024 for further consideration.

In re: News item published in India Today dated 30.04.2023 titled “3 minors among 11 dead in Ludhiana gas leak, Punjab govt announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia”