The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday (January 24) has directed Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to issue general direction to all the manufacturing companies which manufacture Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes to market the pipes with the ‘warning’ sign that it contains lead and is injurious to health.

The order was passed from NGT bench comprising of Acting Chairperson Justice U D Salvi and Expert Member Dr Nagin Nanda after it was informed by the counsel representing the petitioners that till the time MoEF is charting out a roadmap for the manufacture of lead-free pipes, and interim order can be passed to the manufacturing companies to market the pipes with the ‘warning’ sign saying that it contains lead and is injurious to health. The counsel also submitted that in the market lead free PVC pipes are also available.

Earlier, counsel appearing for the MoEF submitted to the bench that the ministry has taken instructions on the order passed dated May 25, 2017 by this Tribunal and that it would be achieved within 6 months as it has drawn a roadmap and timeline mentioned in the roadmap shall be strictly stipulated.

—India Legal Bureau