ROHTAK, Sept. 4 -- As many as 246 ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants in Haryana were found operating without a valid consent to operate (CTO), the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) said while it struggles to recover nearly Rs.40 crore in environmental compensation imposed on defaulting units.

Out of a total of 445 RMC plants identified across the state up to August 20, only 199 had valid CTOs, while 246 were operating without the mandatory consent, reveals a fresh status report filed by the HSPCB with the National Green Tribunal. The board claimed that closure notices were issued to 227 such RMC plants, and 98 of them were dismantled, while the closure of 14 such plants was under process.

Moreover, the board told the tribunal t...