The National Green Tribunal today came down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government for discharging industrial waste into the Hindon canal and causing pollution in the Yamuna river.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked the government to stop releasing toxic effluents in the canal and discuss the issue of sewage discharge with senior oficials.
"What are your officers doing? Why don't you establish Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) or block the sewage and industrial discharge in the river.
"We will not permit you to throw waste in the river. Call your officials to be present on the next date of hearing. Call your senior officers and not some Tom, Dick or Harry," the bench said.
A report submitted by a committee constituted on the orders of the tribunal has also said that the main source of pollution was the waste generated from industries located along the Hindon canal.
The green was hearing a petition filed by Vasundhara Enclave resident J P Sharma seeking directions to remove municipal waste from the canal.
Earlier, the tribunal had banned throwing of all kinds of waste into the Hindon canal and said that "prohibitory" orders will equally apply to persons and public authorities including Uttar Pradesh as it flows through the state.
Slamming the authorities for not cleaning municipal solid waste from the canal and "shifting" responsibility in this regard, the Tribunal had directed them to ensure that clean and decent environment is provided to the residents living along the canal.
It had also constituted a committee of officers nominated by DDA-Vice Chairman, Commissioner of East Delhi Municipal Corporation, PWD, Delhi, Delhi Jal Board, Uttar Pradesh government and Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and asked it to submit a status report.
