NGT direct U.P. govt. to take remedial action

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to take steps in curbing water pollution around industrial areas in the State.

Following a report furnished by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board stating that industrial effluents are contaminating the Hindon river, a Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel said, “When industrial areas are set up, requisite infrastructure for scientific discharge of effluents is not being developed. Let this aspect be considered by the Chief Secretary, U.P., and remedial measures be taken.”

The Bench added that the remedial measures to be taken are in respect of areas that are “already set up as well as the areas which may be set up later” as industrial areas.

Taking into consideration an action taken report submitted by the State pollution control board, the Bench observed, “…(the report) acknowledges that industrial effluents and sewage are being discharged into the drain connecting Hindon river which is broken at many places. Overflow of the effluents is collected in vacant plots.”

“The UPPCB may monitor the compliance of the environmental norms and furnish a further report to the tribunal within three months,” the bench said.