Sewage in Kosi: NGT slams U'khand for non compliance of order

Irked over non-implementation of its order on pollution in river Kosi in Nainital, the National Green Tribunal has slammed the Uttarakhand government for the delay in filing an action plan for collection and disposal of sewage in the entire area.
The green panel, which had constituted a committee last December and asked it to submit action plan within three months, said the Uttarakhand government needs to work with greater "seriousness".
It expressed concern over the fact that two months have passed since the expiry of its order and neither any application has been filed for extension of time nor any step taken to enforce its order.

"Execution of the orders of the tribunal is essence of environmental justice and the person, particularly authorities, who do not carry out the directions not only are liable for disobedience but are also responsible for causing pollution and degradation of environment and ecology of the area. This relate to a serious matter like dealing with the sewage that was generated in various towns.
"One of the basic and fundamental source of pollution of river Ganga is discharge of untreated sewage into the river. If this is the attitude with which Uttarakhand proposes to deal with the matters of environment, much needs to be said as well as appropriate actions are required to be taken against the concerned authorities...," a bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said.

The tribunal also issued notices to Uttarakhand Environment Secretary, CEO of Pay Jal Nigam and Pay Jal Sansthan, District Magistrate and Member Secretary of state Pollution Control Board to show cause why costs for adjournments be not imposed personally on the these officers and recovered from their salaries.

The matter is now listed for next hearing on July 4.
The NGT on December 10 last year constituted a committee
to prepare a complete and comprehensive action plan for installing Sewage Treatment Plants, biodigestors and collective septic tanks for collecting sewage of entire Ram Nagar while ensuring that no sewage or untreated sewerage is released into Kosi.

"The Committee would also answer as to on the mouth of which of the stated existing 15 drains, the STP or any other mechanism for treating the sewerage can be constructed and operationalized. If necessary and possible, the Committee should point out which of the drains can be intercepted and connectivity provided to the established STP.
"A specific report on physical inspection has to be conducted through employees of the respective bodies and the report will state as to how many houses are without septic tanks. It would also state that the houses which have constructed septic tanks, if there is any mechanism to collect such sewerage and its treatment as per law," the bench had said in its order.