Ground Water Contamination| NGT Raps Punjab PCB, NEERI For Its Failure Take Immediate Measures In Sangrur, Says Problem 'So Serious', Summons Top Officials

The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has summoned the Director, NEERI and Member Secretary, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to explain the delay in filing the status report and what immediate measures can be taken to resolve the problem of groundwater contamination in Punjab's Sangrur.

A bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Dr. Afroz Ahmad said, “We are surprised to note that inspite of the problem being so serious. NEERI is not prompt in submitting the report on account of which the matter is being repeatedly adjourned and the problem has not been remediated. Further, we find PPCB and NEERI being statutory body and R&D Institution have not come up even with short-term remedial measures.”

The Tribunal was hearing an application filed on the basis of a status report filed by the committee constituted by NGT, wherein it was found that samples from 18 borewells were taken and that the contamination had spread significantly. Hence, the Tribunal found the problem to be serious which needed consideration and immediate action.

The Counsel for the PPCB informed that the work of taking samples and finding the extent of problem and suggesting remedial measures was awarded to NEERI in August, 2023.

“The matter was taken up thereafter on 05.12.2023 and 02.01.2024 when the Counsel for PPCB had submitted that survey by NEERI will be completed by 31.01.2024. Since the matter was repeatedly adjourned awaiting the report of NEERI, therefore, the Tribunal on 02.01.2024 had issued notice to NEERI through its Director,” noted the Tribunal.

The Counsel for the PPCB informed that the report of NEERI is still awaited. The NGT noted that, “Counsel for NEERI is not able to disclose the status of the report for want of instructions from NEERI.”

Stating that, “we have no option”, the Tribunal directed the personal appearance of Director, NEERI and Member Secretary, PPCB through virtual mode on the next date of hearing to appraise the NGT about the reasons for delay and the status for delay and the status of report as well as immediate measures which can be taken expeditiously to remedy the situation of groundwater contamination.

It further directed PPCB to submit a status report in respect of spread of contamination after shifting of soil from the area concerned.

The matter is listed for March 21, for further consideration.

Title: H.C. Arora v. State of Punjab & Ors.

Advocate Sunaina for applicant

Advocates Richa Kapoor, Deepak Singh, Eesha Sharma for Punjab PCB.

Advocate Vikrant Pachnanda for CPCB.

Advocate Malay Swapnil for NEERI.

Advocate Babita Kaushwala for Advocate Chander Shekhar Dhawan, Sunil Ahuja.

Click here to read/download the order