NGT raps UP state authorities for inaction on Industrial Pollution

The National Green Tribunal slammed the Western UP authorities on Wednesday over inaction on industrial pollution along several rivers.

New Delhi:The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday directed the UP government to look into the issue of industrial pollution on rivers such as Kali Nadi, Krishna and Hindon in western UP.

According to reports, a plea was filed after the pollution reportedly led to the death of 71 people with over 47 severely affected. The plea was filed by NGO Doaba Paryavaran Samiti.

Initial studies showed that more than 71 people had died and over 1000 affected by diseases in nearby areas of the river. A committee also found that contamination of ground water had reached alarming levels.

The principal branch of NGT has expressed its displeasure at UP authorities and had asked the government to furnish a performance guarantee of Rs. 5 crores to implement the action plan.

Contending that economic development cannot take place at the cost of public health, the NGT had directed the Central Pollution Control Board to shut down polluting industries in "critically polluted" and "severely polluted" areas within three months.

The tribunal had also directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests to take steps for enforcement of action plan for improvement of the situation.

The green panel sought a compliance report by the CPCB after three months by email and posted the matter for hearing on November 5.

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