NGT seeks UP govt's response on contamination of groundwater

The National Green Tribunal today sought a response from Uttar Pradesh government on a plea seeking directions to prevent contamination of water near Chhapraula Industrial Area in Greater Noida.
A bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, issued the notice to the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh government, the Centre Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), the Greater Noida Development Authority and others.
The matter is fixed for next hearing on December 12.
"Issue notice to the respondents, " the bench said.
It also directed them to file a status report on the issue of contamination of water and spurt in cancer in the area.

The Tribunal's order came over a plea by NGO Centre for Human Rights which has alleged that people of more than five villages (Sadopur, Achheja, Sadullapur, Bishnuli, Dujana, etc) near Chhapraula Industrial Area in Greater Noida are suffering from cancer due to consumption of contaminated groundwater.

It submits that there is no drain to carry away the industrial effluents and the industries located near Chhapraula Industrial Area are dumping all their effluents into the ground through wells.
The plea, filed through advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, claims that in the last five years around 100 persons have died due to the consumption of contaminated water.

The NGO has also sought "setting up of a monitoring committee of permanent nature to ensure that contaminated or polluted water should not disposed in the entire district of the Greater Noida".
"Direct the respondents to place on record all the relevant material and documents relating to the steps taken by them to prevent contamination of water in the industrial belt of Greater Noida," the plea said.