The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), on March 20, 2026, circulated guidelines for the utilization and management of slurry generated from marble and granite processing units in compliance with directions issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The guidelines were prepared pursuant to the NGT Principal Bench order dated September 28, 2022 in O.A. No. 164/2022, later transferred to the Southern Zone Bench, Chennai and renumbered as O.A. No. 78/2024 (SZ). The guidelines aim to prevent unregulated dumping of marble and granite slurry on land and low-lying areas and provide a framework for storage, handling, utilization, database management, and regulatory oversight.
The guidelines cover inventory and characterization of marble/granite processing units, slurry generation and handling practices, water management, environmental concerns, and mechanisms for utilization of slurry by end-user industries. CPCB has specifically directed all State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) to develop an online portal within three months for tracking slurry generation, mapping disposal sites, and facilitating availability of slurry to user industries. The portal is also intended to register and integrate both slurry generators and end-users to strengthen monitoring and utilization practices.
Further, the Hon’ble NGT Southern Zone Bench, through its order dated February 27, 2026, directed SPCBs/PCCs to ensure that all marble and granite processing units obtain Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) under the Water Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981. The Tribunal also mandated that slurry utilization plans must be submitted before grant of such consents, and enforcement action should be initiated against units operating without requisite approvals. CPCB has requested all SPCBs/PCCs to implement the guidelines and submit action taken reports accordingly. [NGT Order dated 27.02.2026 in O.A. No. 78/2024 (SZ)]
