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  India   Clean Ganga: NGT ticks off Centre, UP for ‘zero’ results

Clean Ganga: NGT ticks off Centre, UP for ‘zero’ results

AGE CORRESPONDENT
Published : Aug 20, 2016, 4:13 am IST
Updated : Aug 20, 2016, 4:13 am IST

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday came down heavily on the Centre and Uttar Pradesh for having achieved “zero result” in cleaning the Ganga while seeking reports on the industrial effluent

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday came down heavily on the Centre and Uttar Pradesh for having achieved “zero result” in cleaning the Ganga while seeking reports on the industrial effluent discharge between Haridwar and Kanpur.

Giving them two weeks as the “final opportunity” to submit their reports, the green court reprimanded the Environment and Water ministries, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other authorities for not taking a clear stand on the project. Failing to submit the report, the court said, a fine of `25,000 will be imposed on the secretaries concerned.

“Everybody comes before us and says ‘we have done this, we have done that’. But the result is zero. The main question is how are you going to protect the River Ganga from Haridwar to Kanpur What do you propose to do Tell us your plans,” a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked, adding, “You just come before us and indicate that the problem is very serious. But what is the solution Unfortunately, despite repeated directions, nothing has come forth on record. The state governments may have different priorities. But we have only one — and that is to clean the Ganga and we will do that.”

The bench also noted that nothing substantial had been done with regard to the source of finance for the river cleansing project, the possibility of applying Zero Liquid Discharge (waste water purification) to various types of industries and installation of an online monitoring system for all industries along the river banks. Advocate M C Mehta, who filed the plea for cleaning the Ganga, said that the river would never be clean unless the state government and its agencies come out with clear data on the industries.

He referred to various Supreme Court judgements on the Ganga since 1987 and said that the authorities had allowed the mushrooming of several industrial units that were openly discharging effluents in the river.

The counsel appearing for the U.P Pollution Control Board said that many small-scale industries were operating along the banks of the river and the main reason for pollution in the Ganga was their release of industrial waste into the water.

Location: India, Delhi, New Delhi