Neglect by the GPCB with respect to the continued violation of Sewage and effluent discharge norms by AMC and Industries in and around Ahmedabad.
\nNotice to take action against CETPs, STPs, Polluting Industries, and Amdavad Municipal Corporation in view of High COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), and BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) observed in the water of Sabarmati River.
\nDirections by the Supreme Court in its Order, dated 22.02.2017, in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 375 of 2012, file Criminal Case against all polluting industries for pollution in Sabarmati River and concerned main officers of the authorities failing in their duties to prevent the river pollution even after repeated letters and complaints sent to them.
\nAccepted, known, admitted, and consistent violation of the Order, dated 22.02.2017, of the Supreme Court in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 375 of 2012 (Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti & Anrs V\/s Union of India & Ors), National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, Delhi, Order, dated 03.08.2018, 28.08.2019 in Original Application No. 593 of 2017, (Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti & Anrs V\/s Union of India & Ors), and National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, Delhi, Order, dated 06.12.2019, in Original Application No. 673 of 2018 amounting to the Contempt of the Supreme Court Order.
\nReference: Our letter dated 01.04.2019, and 24.06.2019.<\/p>\n
Sir\/Madam:
\nOur letters dated 01.04.2019, and 24.06.2019 were sent to you about under-treated \/ untreated effluents and sewage discharge into the Sabarmati River after Vasna Barrage. Copies of the letters are attached herewith the letter. The Sabarmati River has been reduced to an effluent carrying channel for the industries of Naroda, Odhav, Vatva, Narol, and sewage from Ahmedabad city.
\nWe have not yet received any response from you. And it is awful and shocking. Silence cannot and should not be the answer for such a critical issue. All the deadlines to implement the Order dated 22.02.2017, of the Supreme Court in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 375 of 2012 (Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti & Anrs V\/s Union of India & Ors) are over on 22.02.2020.
\nA joint investigation by Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti and Gujarat Pollution Control Board, on 12 March 2019, of the pollution levels in the prime water source of Ahmedabad District \u2013 the Sabarmati River re-established the already known dire state of the River Sabarmati flowing through and downstream of Ahmedabad city.
\nOn 10 and 11 February, 2020, pursuant to the Supreme Court Order dated 22.02.2017, in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 375 of 2012 and the regular monitoring by National Green Tribunal Principal Bench at New Delhi, sampling and analysis of water samples of Sabarmati River were done by Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti and Khedut Ekta Manch. The results of the analysis has again confirmed the challenging reality on ground.
\nIt is now known and admitted reality that untreated and poorly treated industrial effluent and sewage of Ahmedabad city have made Sabarmati River very critically polluted. Pursuant to the investigation on 12 March 2019 by Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti and Gujarat Pollution Control Board, another sampling and analysis of the pollution levels has again revealed that there is little improvement in the ground reality, thus establishing that the responsible authorities like GPCB, AMC, industries and the MoEF&CC have failed to check the rampant violation of environment norms and Supreme Court order dated 22.02.2017 and have blatantly disregarded directions issued from time to time by the NGT Principal Bench, New Delhi.
\nThe stretch of the Sabarmati River passing through the Ahmedabad city, before the Riverfront, is dry and within the Riverfront Project stretch, is brimming with stagnant Water. In the last 120 kilometres, before meeting the Arabian Sea, it is \u201cdead\u201d and has become a stream carrying only industrial effluent and sewage.
\nThe same water from the Sabarmati River is being used by the farmers for agriculture purpose, mainly for the cultivation of vegetables, which are sold in Ahmedabad and nearby rural or semi-urban areas. The pollutants are thus entering into the food chain and causing major damage to the overall health of the people as also contributing to life-threatening diseases.
\nThe downstream farmers have the right to clean irrigation water for farming of which they are deprived only due to the dereliction of duty of the concerned officers putting the life of lakhs of people at stake. This needs to be addressed by the GPCB, AMC and the Government of Gujarat.
\nAs an immediate measure, criminal proceedings must be initiated against polluting industries, treatment facilities, and those officers who failed in discharging their duties thereby endangering the life and livelihoods of millions of people.
\nThe analysis reports of water samples taken on 10 and 11 February 2020 are shocking and reveal the persisting and disastrous condition of Sabarmati River in and around Ahmedabad city and about 120 kilometres downstream.
\nSabarmati River no longer has any fresh water of its own when it enters the city of Ahmedabad. The Sabarmati Riverfront has merely become a pool of stagnant water sourced from Narmada canal. While the river, downstream of the riverfront, has been reduced to a channel carrying only effluents from industries from Naroda, Odhav, Vatva, Narol, and sewage from Ahmedabad city. The drought like condition of the Sabarmati River intensified by the Riverfront Development has resulted in poor groundwater recharge and increased dependency on the already ailing Narmada River. The investigation raises fundamental questions against both, the polluting industries that discharge their untreated effluents into the Sabarmati River, and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation that discharges their poorly treated, untreated sewage into the Sabarmati River. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board’s top cadre officials have failed in their duties and responsibilities to protect the Sabarmati River\u2019s water quality, inspite of the Supreme Court Order dated 22.02.2017, directing strict compliance of effluent treatment standards, continuous monitoring, and closure of defaulting industries and Orders dated 03.08.2018 and 28.08.2019 of the National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, Delhi, in Original Application No. 593 of 2017, (Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti & Anr V\/s Union of India & Ors) for implementation of the Supreme Court order and National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, Delhi, Order, dated 06.12.2019, in Original Application No. 673 of 2018. Even after 11 months from the joint investigation of PSS and GPCB, the pollution and violation persists blatantly, raising questions on efficacy and work culture of the pollution monitoring and enforcement authorities.
\nThe alarmingly critical and dangerous levels of pollution, far exceeding permissible levels, as recorded in the investigation report, are summarised below:
\nNarmada River water is being released through Narmada canal into the Sabarmati River and it has COD 4 mg\/l, BOD is BDL, and TDS 189 mg\/l.
\nThe Water in Sabarmati Riverfront has COD 16 mg\/l, BOD 0.7 mg\/l, 12.7 mg\/l Sulphate, 54.9 mg\/l Chloride, and 358 mg\/l TDS.
\nThe First Outfall of STP of Ahmedabad after Vasna Barrage (After Sabarmati Riverfront) 160 MLD has 336 mg\/l COD, 27.5 mg\/l BOD, 38.4 mg\/l Sulphate, 249 mg\/l Chloride, and 912 mg\/l TDS.
\nThe Second Outfall industrial effluent of Ahmedabad after Vasna Barrage \u2013 Strom Water Drain from DaniLimda (After Sabarmati Riverfront) has 816 mg\/l COD, 390 mg\/l BOD, 180.5 mg\/l Sulphate, 1449 mg\/l Chloride, and 3135 mg\/l TDS.
\nThe Third Outfall of STP of Ahmedabad after Vasna Barrage has 264 mg\/l COD, and 36 mg\/l BOD.
\nThe Fourth Outfall of Industrial Effluent from Naroda, Odhav, and Vatva industrial Estates (Mega Pipeline) after Vasna Barrage (After Sabarmati Riverfront) 40 MLD has 488 mg\/l COD, 53.33 mg\/l BOD, 66.6 mg\/l Sulphate, 269 mg\/l Chloride, and 1006 mg\/l TDS.
\nThe Fifth Outfall of Industrial Effluent of Narol after Vasna Barrage (After Sabarmati Riverfront) 100 MLD has 400 mg\/l COD, 35 mg\/l BOD, 1010 mg\/l Sulphate, 4698 mg\/l Chloride, and 8575 mg\/l TDS.
\nMiroli Village pumping station 21 kms. downstream of Vasna Barrage has 184 mg\/l COD, 37.5 mg\/l BOD, 111.6 mg\/l Sulphate, 489 mg\/l, Chloride, and 1651 mg\/l TDS.
\nThe following investigation report speaks for itself.
\nRecent Investigation by Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti and Khedut Ekta Manch on 10 & 11 February 2020<\/p>\n
We would like to emphasize that two STPs sewage discharges, and 3 three industrial effluent discharges which are critically polluted, critically higher than the prescribed norms are being dumped into the location downstream of Vasna Barrage, onwards which the Sabarmati River is completely dry. Actually, we should not allow at all any discharge of even so-called treated effluent and sewerage into the river stretch where river is dry. This amounts to murdering the river and it is a criminal offence on the part of industry, concerned authorities, Government of Gujarat, and State of Gujarat.
\nThe pathetic and dismal condition of the Sabarmati River is a cause of grave concern for the health of the people of the Ahmedabad city and the villages around Sabarmati River downstream of Riverfront who rely on the river water for their daily use and livelihood. Some of the major direct and indirect effects of the high levels of pollution on the people and environment includes contamination of ground water, food contamination, associated health hazards, loss of natural river habitat, depletion of ground water levels due to lack of water recharge, loss of flora and fauna, etc. Urgent action is necessitated in light of these findings to rejuvenate and restore the Sabarmati River and its water quality, which calls for the strict implementation of the Supreme Court Order by the concerned authorities.
\nWe demand that:
\nGPCB immediately issues closure notices to all the defaulting polluting industries located in and around Ahmedabad industrial clusters, in implementation of the Supreme Court Order dated 22.02.2017.
\nGPCB immediately issues closer notices to all the defaulting CETPs of the Ahmedabad industrial cluster, in implementation of the Supreme Court Order dated 22.02.2017.
\nGPCB immediately issues notices to the Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad to ensure compliance by all STPs in the area.
\nGPCB files criminal cases against the all owners\/directors of the defaulting polluting industries, the officers of the CETPs, and the Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad.
\nMoEFCC should not allow at all any discharge of even so-called treated effluent and sewage into the Sabarmati river stretch where river is dry. This amounts to murdering the river and it is a criminal offence.
\nThe GPCB investigates and prepares further detailed reports about the ground water contamination as well as contamination of the food grains, vegetables, and fodder.
\nEnsures Interim Exemplary Monetary Compensation along with medical services to the farmers and villagers who have suffered from the surface water and groundwater pollution.
\nImmediately pay Interim compensation per season per acre to the farmers who are forced to use contaminated Sabarmati River water and groundwater for irrigation of agricultural land and, hence, are facing several severe health and related socio-economic problems.
\nAppoint a competent interdisciplinary committee of officials and field experts to assess the ongoing and past damages to quantify the real compensation payable to the farmers for the damage done.
\nImplement, in letter and spirit, the Order, dated 22.02.2017, of the Supreme Court in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 375 of 2012 (Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti & Anr V\/s Union of India & Ors) and National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, Delhi Order, dated 03.08.2018 and 28.08.2019, in Original Application No. 593 of 2017, (Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti & Anr V\/s Union of India & Ors), and National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, Delhi, Order, dated 06.12.2019, in Original Application No. 673 of 2018.
\nWe expect your prompt and positive response in the interest of lives, livelihoods, and environment of all the concerned areas cities, towns, villages, and hamlets around the Sabarmati River.
\nIf you do not act now, your inaction shall be considered as non-compliance of the Hon\u2019ble Supreme Court order, dated 22.02.2017, in our PIL \u2013 Writ Petition (Civil) 375 of 2012 and may invite further necessary actions.<\/p>\n
Rohit Prajapati Krishnakant
\n[ROHIT PRAJAPATI] [KRISHNAKANT]
\nParyavaran Suraksha Samiti<\/p>\n
Sagar Rabari
\n[SAGAR RABARI]
\nKhedut Ekta Manch<\/p>\n
27 February 2020
\nThe Secretary
\nMinistry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
\nGovernment of India
\nParyavaran Bhavan, Jor Bagh Road, New Delhi – 110 003<\/p>\n
Dr. Susane George Karumanchery
\nThe Nodal Officer (CETP\/STP\/ETP)
\nMinistry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
\nGovernment of India
\nParyavaran Bhavan, Jor Bagh Road, New Delhi – 110 003<\/p>\n
The Chairman
\nCentral Pollution Control Board
\nParivesh Bhawan, CBD-cum-Office Complex,
\nEast Arjun Nagar, DELHI – 110 032<\/p>\n
The Member Secretary
\nCentral Pollution Control Board
\nParivesh Bhawan, CBD-cum-Office Complex,
\nEast Arjun Nagar, DELHI – 110 032<\/p>\n
Mr. Ajay Aggarwal
\nThe Additional Director & The Nodal Officer (CETP\/STP\/ETP)
\nCentral Pollution Control Board
\nParivesh Bhawan, CBD-cum-Office Complex,
\nEast Arjun Nagar, DELHI – 110 032<\/p>\n
The Chief Secretary
\nGovernment of Gujarat
\n1st Block, 3rd Floor, Sachivalaya,
\nGandhinagar \u2013 382 010<\/p>\n
The Additional Chief Secretary
\nForest and Environment Department
\n14th Block, 8th Floor, Sachivalaya,
\nGandhinagar \u2013 382 010<\/p>\n
The Chairman
\nGujarat Pollution Control Board
\nParyavaran Bhavan, Sector-10 A, Gandhinagar-382 010<\/p>\n
The Member Secretary
\nGujarat Pollution Control Board
\nParyavaran Bhavan, Sector-10 A, Gandhinagar – 382 010<\/p>\n
The Regional Directorate (Western Zone)
\nCentral Pollution Control Board
\nParivesh Bhawan, Opp. VMC Ward Office No. 10, Subhanpura,
\nVadodara – 390 023<\/p>\n
The Municipal Commissioner
\nAmdavad Municipal Corporation
\nMahanagar Seva Sadan
\nSardar Patel Bhavan, Danapith, Ahmedabad \u2013 380 001<\/p>\n
The Collector
\nNear Subhash Bridge Circle, R.T.O
\nAshram Rd, Hridaya Kunj,
\nOld Wadaj, Ahmedabad – 380 027<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Neglect by the GPCB with respect to the continued violation of Sewage and effluent discharge norms by AMC and Industries in and around Ahmedabad. Notice to take action against CETPs, STPs, Polluting Industries, and Amdavad Municipal Corporation in view of High COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), and BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) observed in the water of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paUKPQ-8YI","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34516"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34516"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34516\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34517,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34516\/revisions\/34517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34516"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34516"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34516"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}