Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding discharge of untreated sewage into the irrigation canal, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 30/07/2021
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Abhisht Kusum Gupta Vs State of Uttar Pradesh & Others dated 30/07/2021.
The issue for consideration was steps for preventing untreated sewage going to the irrigation canal in Sector 137, Noida. Sources of such discharge included non-functional/deficient STPs in 95 high rise buildings in Noida, industries as well waste water from upstream from Delhi and Ghaziabad from into the said canal which joins Yamuna and then Ganga.
The matter has been dealt with by various orders in the last more than two years, in the light of the reports of the Committee appointed by the Tribunal to ascertain the factual status.
When the matter was taken up by the court, July 30, 2021, it was noted that no meaningful steps have been taken by the concerned authorities.
"Action taken reports filed by the NOIDA Authority and joint Committee comprising of EDMC, DPCC and CPCB establish violations clearly. NOIDA Authority has filed reports 15.02.2021, 19.03.2021 and 29.07.2021 which are almost repetition with no marked improvement except mechanical change of date," the NGT said.
The court directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment, Uttar Pradesh, Secretary, Urban Development, Uttar Pradesh, CEO, NOIDA Authority, District Magistrate, NOIDA, Vice Chairman, GDA, Police Commissioner, NOIDA, IG, Meerut and Chief Secretary, Delhi and Special Commissioner of Police, East Delhi to hold in house meeting in coordination with concerned departments within fifteen days to take stock of the situation and plan remedial action. Action should include accountability of the erring officers, preventing discharge of pollution in the drain, coercive measures against violators - housing societies or others by registering criminal cases, initiating prosecution, assessment and recovery of compensation for the past violations, black listing of the concerned entities such as construction companies, in exercise of their statutory powers, following due process of law.