HSPCB imposes green compensation of Rs 2.75 cr on Ambala Sadar MC

HSPCB imposes green compensation of Rs 2.75 cr on Ambala Sadar MC

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The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 2.75 crore on the Ambala Sadar Municipal Council for the untreated effluent discharge in Tangri river.

As per the information, the environmental compensation has been imposed for the monitoring period of April 2020 to October 2024 for untreated effluent discharge from the area of Municipal Council via Mahesh Nagar drain into Tangri river.

The Mahesh Nagar link drain generating from Babyal village and carrying the untreated domestic effluent generating from residential areas of the Municipal Council, Ambala Sadar, Babyal, Dayalbagh, Mahesh Nagar, Raja Park, Ekta Vihar, Shalimar Bagh, Ram Kishan Colony, Gudmandi, Dalipgarh Nagar, Boh through various sub-drains is falling into Tangri river, which is finally merging into Ghaggar river via Markanda river, is under the jurisdiction of the Ambala Sadar MC.

The National Green Tribunal in 2019 had ordered that all local bodies or the departments concerned of the state government had to ensure 100 per cent treatment of the generated sewage and in default pay compensation, which was to be recovered by the states/UTs, with effect from April 2020. In default of such collection, the states/UTs are liable to pay such compensation. The CPCB is to collect the same and utilise the compensation for the restoration of environment.

An official said the quality of water flowing in Mahesh Nagar drain, which was falling into Tangri river, was being monitored regularly by the regional office HSPCB and as per the analysis reports released by HSPCB labs, the parameters were found exceeding prescribed limits laid down by ministry of Environment and Forests for primary water quality criteria for bathing water.

According to the information, the Ambala Sadar MC had proposed four sewage treatment plants for treatment and disposal of domestic effluent generating from its residential areas of which two were commissioned but were under trial and two were yet to be commissioned.

Haryana State Pollution Control Board’s Ambala Regional officer Ajay Malik said, “In compliance with directions of the National Green Tribunal, environmental compensation has been imposed on the Ambala Sadar Municipal Council for the discharge of untreated effluent in Tangri river. The Municipal Council should deposit the amount in time to avoid any further action. Two major drains (Ambala and Ghel drains) in Ambala City are also carrying untreated effluent and compensation will be imposed soon. The compensation will be recovered by the board and used for environmental restoration.”

“Recently the matter was also reviewed by the Ambala Deputy Commissioner in the district-level Special Environment Surveillance Task Force (SESTF) meeting and he has asked Ambala Sadar MC to expedite the work of tapping and diversion of the discharge in to newly commissioned sewage treatment plants (STPs)”, he added.