CPCB to monitor pollution in Cauvery

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Central Pollution Control Board’s joint monitoring committee to monitor the pollution content in Cauvery water released by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu till May.

A Bench of Justices S.A. Bobde and L. Nageswara Rao asked the CPCB to submit its report in the second week of July.

The court is hearing an original suit filed by Tamil Nadu to restrain Karnataka from releasing sewage generated in that state into Cauvery and Pennaiyar (Thenpennai).

In an interim report, the CPCB suggested steps for maintaining vigilance to prevent further pollution and steps to be taken to restore the water quality. The Board said the water at the borders of the river belt do not conform to the water quality criteria.

The states suggested that since the CPCB did its field surveys during the winter months, it should also continue its studies on the quality of the water during the dry season.

Tamil Nadu counsel argued that the apex court should give a positive direction to Karnataka to treat the water before it is released into Tamil Nadu. The state said the court should fix a time-frame for Karnataka to free the water from sewage and effluents.