NGT directs inspection of Chambal river to verify pollution claims

The Rajasthan govt had claimed that various civic bodies have succeeded in checking 10 of 22 sewage drains falling into the river

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Bhopal bench, has directed a Rajasthan-based environmentalist and an advocate to verify measures claimed by various civic bodies on checking pollution level of Chambal River.

Oilspill-along-the-banks-of-Chambal-river-in-Kota-HT-Photo

Hearing the PIL of People for Animals (PFA), an animal welfare organisation, over release of sewage, medical and other wastes into the river, Justice Dalip Singh and expert member Ranjan Chatterjee in Bhopal instructed PFA Rajasthan president Babulal Jaju and advocate Mahendra Singh to do spot inspection of the Chambal area in order to verify claims made by the local self-bodies in the affidavit submitted to the NGT.

PFA spokesperson Brijesh Vijayvargiya said the state government in its affidavit before the NGT had claimed that the Urban Improvement Trust (UIT), Kota Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) have succeeded in checking 10 of the total 22 sewage drains, which fall into the river. And the government has already begun work on the remaining 12 drains, said Vijayvargiya.

The officials from all three departments appeared before the NGT on Friday.