NGT Constitutes Five Member Committee For Recommending Remedial Measures Against Ground Water Contamination In Haryana

The National Green Tribunal has constituted a five member joint committee in order to recommend the remedial measures to curb the contamination of ground water in a village situated in Haryana's Sangrur District.

A bench headed by Tribunal's chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel was dealing with a case wherein reference was made by the applicant on Hindustan Times report dated 8th July 2021 titled 'Sangrur tubewell spews out polluted water; PPCB blames dismantled factor.'

It was therefore stated that the ground water is contaminated and colored water is coming out of the tubewells which has potential for damage to the public health. 

In view of the said submission, the Tribunal observed thus:

"If the report is correct, polluted water has potential for adversely affecting the inhabitants. In such a situation, it is the responsibility of the State to take remedial measures to enforce the right of the citizens to clean water."

Accordingly, a five member joint committee was constituted by the Tribunal comprising Regional Officer of CPCB, MoEF&CC, Chandigarh, State PCB, a nominee of Secretary Environment Department, Punjab, and District Magistrate.

The committee is therefore tasked to visit the site, interact with the stake holders, assess the ground situation and recommend the measures required to be taken.

Directing the committee to submit a report within two months, the Tribunal directed the following:

- The Committee may ascertain the number of tube wells discharging coloured water, depth of such wells, aquifer status in terms of movement and extent of contamination, characteristics of contaminated water with reference to effluent sludge disposed by the industry in question - dyes and dye intermediate, effect on agricultural crops, bio- magnification in agro products.

- It may suggest short and long-term basis considering agronomy and public health, remediation plan, cost of such remediation.

- The CPCB and State PCB will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. 

- First meeting of the committee may be convened within two weeks.

The matter will now be heard on 12 November.

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

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