HC seeks status report on rising pollution in Baddi

Vijay Arora

Shimla, August 3

Expressing concern on the issue of rising pollution levels in Baddi, the HP High Court today directed the Chief Secretary, Solan Deputy Commissioner, Nalagarh SDM, Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh Development Authority CEO, Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh Industries Association and Baddi Technical Training Institute to file a status report within two weeks.

A division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Jutice Sandeep Sharma passed these orders on a petition taken up suo motu by the court as public interest litigation on a news item published in “The Tribune.” under headline “Pollution rises in Baddi as effluent plant under used”.

According to the news report, less than 50 per cent industrial units of Baddi Industrial area send untreated effluents to common effluent treatment plant. It was further reported that due to this, the pollution level was on high in the area.

During the hearing of the matter, the court appointed senior advocate Bipin C Negi as amicus curiae (Court friend) to assist the court in the matter. The court listed the matter for further hearing on September 7.