SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) inspected 517 stone-crusher units across the Union Territory between January 2025 and September 2026, issuing 229 legal notices and 146 closure directions for violations of environmental and pollution-control norms.
Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Javed Ahmed Rana provided the information in the Legislative Assembly while responding to a question raised by MLA Ajaz Ahmad Jan.
Of the total inspections, 318 were carried out in Kashmir Division, resulting in 154 legal notices and 112 closure directions. In Jammu Division, 199 inspections were conducted, leading to 75 legal notices and 34 closure directions.
According to the Government, action was taken under the relevant provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
The violations included operating without the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the concerned Deputy Commissioner, functioning without valid consent from the JKPCC and failing to maintain the required pollution-control measures.
The Government also informed the Assembly that four stone crushers in Poonch district had been approved for establishment since January 2025. These units are located in the Seeri Chowana, Salotri and Bhainch areas and were approved after meeting the prescribed norms and criteria.
Minister Javed Ahmed Rana said permissions for establishing and operating stone crushers in Jammu and Kashmir are granted only after compliance with applicable environmental norms, siting criteria and regulatory requirements.
He said the applicable framework includes JKPCC Order No. 70 of 2025, issued on May 9, 2025, and the subsequent amendment to the siting criteria issued through JKPCC Order No. 124-JKPCC of 2025 dated August 30, 2025.
The Government further informed the House that 58 applications seeking consent to establish and operate stone crushers had been received since January 1, 2025. Of these, 27 applications were approved, 28 were rejected and one application remains under process.
The Government said the regulatory framework is aimed at ensuring that stone-crusher operations comply with environmental safeguards and prescribed location and pollution-control requirements.
