Supreme Court Halts Cement Plant Near School

The Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling, siding with farmer Harbinder Singh Sekhon and other residents of Sangrur, Punjab, alongside Vasant Valley Public School. The court effectively annulled key permissions granted to Shree Cement North Private Limited for a cement grinding unit on approximately 47.82 acres. The bench overturned a previous High Court decision that had supported the Change of Land Use (CLU) permission.

In a parallel proceeding, the Supreme Court also invalidated the Central Pollution Control Board's January 2025 reclassification of standalone cement grinding units from the 'Red' pollution category to 'Orange'. This reclassification, along with relaxed environmental safeguards, was also struck down. Petitioners had highlighted the unit's proximity to farmlands, homes, and a school, emphasizing the severe health risks from dust pollution.

The judgment, spanning 65 pages, examined violations of planning acts and siting norms. It stressed that cement grinding involves significant dust handling, posing health hazards. The court clarified that while industrial development isn't permanently barred, authorities must follow transparent, statutory processes for any future proposals.

Key reasons for the ruling against the cement company and regulatory bodies included the unlawful CLU permission in an agricultural zone, the inability of ex post facto approvals to cure defects, and non-compliance with siting norms. The reclassification to 'Orange' was deemed arbitrary, lacking site-specific evidence and infringing upon the right to a clean environment.

The court's decision upholds the precautionary principle and the right to a clean environment, asserting that regulatory frameworks must prioritize safeguarding life over facilitating industry, especially where health risks are foreseeable.