NGT directs civic bodies across country to take action against water pollution

KOCHI: National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed municipal bodies to take strict action against those involved in disposal of sewage, septage, and slaughter waste into water resources. The initiative comes as a follow-up to a number of orders issued by the NGT earlier in which it had pointed serious worries over the release of untreated sewage and industrial wastes into rivers and other waterbodies across the country.

The committee said, “In spite of the directions in several judgments, discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents into rivers and waterbodies continues. Sewage treatment capacity is disproportionate to the sewage generated. Reports found a high level of coliform in waterbodies. According to some estimates, 75 to 80 per cent water is polluted in India. The number of polluted river stretches is on the rise.” The committee also suggested the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to asses the sewage generated in the city and its present system of disposal. A time-bound action plan for sewage treatment has to be devised by the KWA. The corporation has to place a request before the authority based on the directions issued by the committee. It asked the KWA to ensure that the sewage treatment plant at Elamkulam is functioning properly. The corporation has to ensure compliance immediately.