The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter relating to the deteriorating condition of the Kelo river in Chhattisgarh.
The Petition is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item dated 09.06.2024.
As per the article, the Kelo river has turned into an undeclared garbage dumping yard. The entire river is filled with garbage and filth.
It alleges that the 15 km stretch of the Kelo river is also included in the 351 most polluted river stretches of the country. Five rivers in Chhattisgarh have been included in this list.
The article states that upon NGT’s instruction to build Sewage treatment plants in all states a sewerage treatment plant was built for the treatment of the city’s dirty water released into the river. Two STPs of 25 MLD and 7 MLD have been established in Raigarh.
The article alleges that even after this, drain water is falling directly into the river at four spots. Even now the sewerage of the entire city is not reaching the water treatment plant. Apart from this, garbage is being dumped from the river bank to under the bridge. There is also debris lying in the middle of the river, which have not been cleaned for many years.
Furthermore, the article claims that situation is even worse from Kayaghat to Kharraghat. Dirt is visible everywhere in the river. It states that no efforts are being made for the conservation of Kelo river. The dirty water drain near Kayaghat bridge has been directly connected to the river. In heavy rains, all the garbage flows into the river.
The article alleges that the authorities have taken no prompt action.
The above matter indicated Bench violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the provisions of The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi , Dr. A. Senthil Vel and Dr. Afroz Ahmad impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
(i) Central Pollution Control Board.
(ii) Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board.
(iii) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
(iv) District Magistrate, Raigarh.
The Bench issued notice to the Respondents.
Since the matter relates to the Central Zonal Bench, Bhopal, therefore, the Bench transferred the matter to the Central Zonal Bench for appropriate further action.Office is directed by the NGT to transfer the original record to the Central Zonal Bench and the matter is listed on 24.09.2024.
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