NGT slaps Rs.120 crores fine on UP government for environmental violations

NGT slaps Rs.120 crores fine on UP government for environmental violations

Forms a six-member joint committee to investigate the matter

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Government of Uttar Pradesh to pay Rs.120 crore as a fine for environmental violations, including improper solid waste management and discharge of sewage into rivers in Gorakhpur district.

The Delhi bench of NGT headed by chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel noted the liability of the state for the discharge of 55 MLD sewage into rivers at Gorakhpur at Rs.110 crores.

In its order, NGT ruled, "Applying the scale of compensation followed in the case of Maharashtra, the compensation comes to Rs.11.40 crores, which is rounded off at Rs.10 crores. Thus, the total compensation is determined at Rs.120 crores."

The Tribunal was dealing with the issue of the remedial action against contamination of water bodies and groundwater, especially Ramgarh Lake, Ami, Rapti, and Rohani rivers, in and around Gorakhpur.

According to the applicant, contaminated water results in Entero Virus (EV) which is a brain fever, like Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).

Gorakhpur has a history of deaths of hundreds of children at BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur, though a majority of patients come from different parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The bench said the two issues were to control EVs and pollution, which, apart from other diseases, were to some extent a source of EVs. Though the report of the committee showed a significant reduction in cases due to sustained efforts in the last five years, further measures were recommended.

It stated, "From the data presented by the state, apart from past violations, continuing violations of discharge of untreated sewage into the drains, rivers and other water bodies are more than 50 MLD. As against reported generation of sewage in Gorakhpur to the extent of about 100 MLD, treatment is not more than 45 MLD."

The tribunal formed a six-member joint committee to investigate the matter. The panel will be headed by ACS, U.D, UP, with the regional director, CPCB, regional officer, MoEF&CC, member secretary, state PCB, a nominee of PCCF, (HoFF), UP and municipal corporation, Gorakhpur.

The NGT order read, "The Committee may meet within one month and update the action plan for the prevention and remediation of pollution so as to achieve tangible results within six months."