NGT directs UP and Uttarakhand to publicise water quality of Ganga

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Uttarakhand and the Uttar Pradesh pollution control boards to publicise the water quality of the Ganga river at all strategic locations on a monthly basis and indicate if the river water is fit for bathing and drinking purpose.

A bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, NGT Chairperson warned that the failure to do so may result in coercive action against the pollution control board of both the states.

The tribunal rapped the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) over its affidavit which alleged that Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have not provided relevant information for the stretch from Kanpur to Buxar (Phase-II) and Buxar to Ganga Sagar (Phase-III).

The bench said that it has indicated that the states have not provided the information and thus action plans could not be formulated within the stipulated time frame. The laidback approach of the NMCG can’t be appreciated as it has been set up by the government with the sole purpose of rejuvenation of Ganga, the bench added. The NGT further warned that it may take coercive action, including environment compensation being required to be paid by the NMCG and the states of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal for not responding and failing to formulate the action plans for Phase II and III.

The green panel gave final opportunity to the NMCG and the state governments of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal to take further steps within seven days and file the action plans before April 30, 2019.

The tribunal directed UP government to consult the committee headed by Justice Arun Tandon regarding waste management post-Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.