NGT constitutes committee to look into river pollution in Varanasi
NGT constitutes committee to look into river pollution in Varanasi
Varanasi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has set up an independent monitoring committee to look into the issue of pollution in rivers Varuna and Assi in Varanasi.
The issue was raised by a local advocate, Saurabh Tiwari, in a grievance forwarded to the NGT. It was observed that the two rivers are tributaries to river Ganga and cleaning of river Ganga cannot be imagined without first ensuring prevention of pollution of these rivers. The water quality of river Ganga at Varanasi is in bad condition. Fecal coliform bacteria count at Varun-Ganga confluence is 71 million per 100ML of water (Ganga Jal) and fecal coliform count at Assi River and Ganga confluence is 52 Million per 100ML of water and on Assi Ghat fecal coliform is 1 lakh 40 thousand per 100ML of Ganga Jal. Permissible limit of fecal coliform bacteria should not exceed 500 per 100ML of water. Reference has been made to a report on water quality prepared by Sankat Mochan Foundation in Varanasi. It is further stated that there is concrete construction inside Ganga water channel at Lalita Ghat.
The order was passed on June 17 by NGT’s principal bench comprising Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Justice M. Sathyanarayanan, Justice Brijesh Sethi and expert member Dr. Nagin Nanda. According to the order, the committee will include officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), UPPCB, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and district magistrate of Varanasi.
The NGT has made UPPCB the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. The committee may meet within two weeks and review the action plan on the subject in the light of the pre-existing action plans, if any, with such modifications as may be necessary. The committee will be at liberty to take assistance of any other expert/institution, including an agency dealing in rejuvenating works. It may undertake field visit, including sample collection and analysis as required, the NGT mandated in its order.
The order says that based on the report of the committee, the NMCG may give an action taken report in the matter before August 4. The report may cover status on water quality of Assi, Varuna, action taken on diversion and treatment of sewage, water quality of upstream and downstream of confluence of Assi and Varuna to river Ganga, demarcation of flood plain zones of Assi, Varuna and Ganga, in accordance with the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016. The action taken report may be furnished by e-mail. The matter has been listed for further consideration on August 4.
