The Western Zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) located in Pune has mandated the creation of a joint committee comprising representatives from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). The committee’s objective is to conduct an investigation into potential industrial pollution within the Sabarmati river and subsequently produce a comprehensive report.
Upon receiving an application that alleges the unauthorized discharge of untreated effluent, the NGT has issued notices to both the relevant authorities as well as numerous factories situated in the Sewage Farm, Danilimda, and Behrampura areas.
According to the petitioner’s counsel, all industrial units operating in the aforementioned regions were obligated to adopt zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) technology as outlined in the “Consent to Establish” granted by the State PCB (GPCB). However, it is claimed that these units have failed to implement said technology and persist in discharging untreated effluent into the Sabarmati, thereby resulting in extensive pollution of the river water and groundwater. Allegations have been made in the past concerning several units commencing operations without installing ZLD systems and releasing effluent into AMC pipelines. Recent inspections conducted by the AMC and GPCB have led to the sealing of certain factories.
The NGT has stipulated that the joint committee must present its report within a four-week timeframe, with the GPCB serving as the nodal agency. The subsequent hearing has been scheduled for September 19.
