Consider formulating a river regulation policy: HC to Maharashtra

State told to set up redressal mechanism to tackle Godavari pollution

December 19, 2018 01:04 am | Updated 01:04 am IST - Mumbai:

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the State government to consider formulating a river regulation policy to check pollution in the Godavari.

The court also said that provisions need to be made for citizens to lodge complaints about incidents of pollution, illegal construction or encroachments along the banks of the river.

A Division Bench of Justices Abhay Oka and A.K. Menon passed a detailed order while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning pollution in the Godavari, which is India’s second largest river and main source of water supply in Nashik. The Godavari originates from Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district..

The PIL points out that as the places of religion along the river are frequented by a large number of devotees, various articles and waste were being indiscriminately discharged in the Godavari. Sufficient number of toilets too are not available.

In an earlier order on March 7, 2014, the court gave three weeks to the Divisional Commissioner of Nashik to appoint a revenue officer, not below the rank of deputy collector, to act as the coordinator/secretary of a committee to redress grievances.

In a 53-page order on Tuesday, the court directed “a grievance redressal mechanism to be set up and maintained by the committee headed by divisional commissioner.” It shall coordinate activities of various departments of the State, municipal corporation, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation to ensure all possible steps for implementation of directions from court.”

The Bench “directed the committee to have its own website that will make provisions for citizens to be able to lodge complaints about incidents of pollution, encroachments, and illegal construction along the Godavari. Citizens should be be able to lodge their complaints through email by uploading the photographs or via WhatsApp or in writing in traditional form.”

The court said, “the committee shall ensure that all the complaints including the anonymous ones are looked into immediately and a record would be maintained. An action taken report should be uploaded on the dedicated website within three weeks.”

The court said “the State shall allot sufficient funds for the day-to-day functioning of the committee and wide publicity shall be regularly given by the committee and the website at various methods including print and other media.”

The court also asked the State to constitute a Godavari Protection Police Squad.

During major religious functions and festivals in holy places around Godavari, the court directed deployment of additional police force as may be requisitioned by the committee.

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