Sewage in Kosi: NGT slams state for delay in action plan

New Delhi, May 29

Irked over non-implementation of its order on pollution in the Kosi river in Nainital, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slammed the Uttarakhand Government for the delay in filing an action plan for collection and disposal of sewage in the entire area.

The green panel, which had constituted a committee last December and asked it to submit the action plan within three months, said the state needed to work with greater “seriousness”.

It expressed concern over the fact that two months had passed since the expiry of its order and neither any application had been filed for extension of time nor any step had been taken to enforce the order.

“Execution of the orders of the tribunal is the essence of environmental justice and the person, particularly authorities, who do not carry out the directions are not only liable for disobedience but are also responsible for causing pollution and degradation of environment and ecology of the area. This relates to a serious matter like dealing with the sewage that is generated in various towns. One of the basic and fundamental sources of pollution of the Ganga is discharge of untreated sewage into the river. If this is the attitude with which Uttarakhand proposes to deal with the matters of environment, much needs to be said. Also appropriate actions are required to be taken against the concerned authorities,” a bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said.

The tribunal has also issued notices to Uttarakhand Environment Secretary, CEO of Pay Jal Nigam and Pay Jal Sansthan, the district magistrate and member secretary of state Pollution Control Board to show cause why costs for adjournments be not imposed personally on the these officers and recovered from their salaries.

The matter is now listed for next hearing on July 4.

The Kosi river originates from the middle Himalayas from Kumaon in Uttarakhand and does not emanate from any glacier and is a perennial river like the Ramganga.— PTI