Many electric motor recycling units in Mandi Gobindgarh, in north India have come to standstill after an order by the Principal Bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) over air pollution concerns. There are 500 scrap units in the Mandi Gobindgarh area.
Every month, 600-700 containers, each carrying 22mt of electric motor scrap (Elmo) arrive at Ludhiana-Gobindgarh, according to a clearing agent.
After inspections, showcause notices were issued to 19 units in January, few authorised other unauthorised.
Additionally, the civic body in Mandi Gobindgarh also carried out inspections of such illegal dismantling units/godowns and provided a list of 28 units. The committee members informed the court that units having import license to import of iron and steel scrap are found to be importing copper, aluminium, brass, plastic and rubber.
Registered importers were also involved in processing/dismantling of metal scrap without authorisation.