Dangerous Red Water Coming From Hand-Pumps In MP's Indore, NGT Seeks Response Of State Pollution Board, Ground Water Authority

The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought response from Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) and other authorities on report alleging dangerous polluted red colour water coming out from hand-pumps and borewells of Industrial area in Indore.

Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A. Senthil Vel said, "The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment."

According to a newspaper report in June 2023 MPPCB had carried out sampling at Kumedi, Bardari, Dhankhedi, Shakkarkhedi, Niranjanpur along with 53 locations in an area of 20 km for one year and prepared a report of total 636 samples where 3 lakh people are living.

It was reported that there are 400 industries mainly electroplating, chemical, confectionary and Pharma units using acid in large quantities responsible for polluted water, out of them action has been taken only on 7 industries, the Tribunal noted.

Consequently, the NGT impleaded the following as respondents:

i. Member Secretary, MPPCB.

ii. Regional Officer, MoEF & CC Bhopal

iii. District Magistrate, Indore

iv. Member Secretary, CPCB.

v. Member Secretary, Madhya Pradesh State Ground Water Authority.

While issuing notice for filing reply, the Tribunal transferred the matter to the Central Zonal Bench, Bhopal.

The matter is listed for September 30 for further consideration.

Click here to read/download the order