Surat: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, has formed a committee to monitor compliance of its order with regard to checking pollution in Daman Ganga river near industrial town Vapi in Valsad. The committee will also oversee the implementation of recommendation of NGT-formed panel for supply of potable water to villages near Vapi town.
The committee will comprise of a member of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Valsad collector, Vapi Municipality, GUDC Gandhinagar, Notified Area Authority (NAA),Vapi. GPCB will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance of NGT order.
The environment watchdog on October 29, while disposing of the petition filed by Kirti Desai, a resident of Charvada village near Vapi town, has asked the monitoring committee to file a compliance report in one month.
Desai has filed a petition with NGT in 2016 alleging violation of norms by the local administration in the disposal of solid and liquid waste in and around Vapi. He had also alleged deteriorating ground water quality and demanded action besides assurance on the supply of safe potable drinking water to four villages near Vapi town.
In 2017 the NGT found merit in the petition and directed GPCB to survey of the four affected villages. Based on the GPCB’s survey report in September 2017, the tribunal directed immediate measures to supply potable water to the affected villages as a temporary measure.
Later, the NGT constituted a joint committee of CPCB and the GPCB to furnish a factual and action required report on the management of solid and liquid waste in and around Vapi. The committee filed its report on October 26.
“Remedial action should be taken as per observations and recommendations in the report. This is necessary to effectuate the fundamental right of the citizens for access to clean water and clean environment,” the NGT observed.
The NGT also requested Justice B C Patel, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court and former Judge of Gujarat High Court, now stationed at Ahmedabad, to oversee the execution of the action plan.
Head: Findings & Recommendations
There was no operational sewage treatment plant (STP) for the sewage generated in the Vapi municipality area.
The sewage was being discharged in natural drains that opened in river Daman Ganga and river Kolak.
The wet waste was being dumped in open dumpsite and total seven natural drains carrying wastewater were identified.
Water in the seven natural drains was contaminated.
Vapi municipality should expedite the installation work of STP and ensure that no domestic sewage is discharged in any water bodies.
The notified area authority of GIDC to submit a time-bound action plan for the construction of two new STPs for GIDC Housing-I and Housing-II areas.