BPCL to pay fine of Rs 1 crore, directs NGT

NEW DELHI: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) was asked by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on January 29, 2019, to pay fine of Rs 1 crore levied by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for not complying with orders pertaining to the installation of anti-pollution vapour recovery systems at fuel stations. NGT rapped BPCL and two other oil companies for the cause.

A bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, NGT chairperson warned of punitive action against the company directors if the compliance reports are not submitted within two weeks and gave the directions to pay the fine.

NGT had earlier asked the oil companies – IOC, BPCL and HPCL to install Stage-I and Stage-II vapour recovery devices by October 31. The green panel gave the directions while hearing a plea moved by Aditya N. Prasad, advocate and Vallari Sheel, a city resident, who contended that petroleum products at fuel stations contribute to air pollution.