NGT constitutes panel to look into pollution in Varuna, Assi

Varanasi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has set up a high power independent monitoring committee to look into the issue of pollution in rivers Varuna and Assi in Varanasi by discharge of untreated sewage and unauthorized constructions.
The issue was raised by a local advocate, Saurabh Tiwari, in a grievance forwarded to the apex environment watchdog.
The order was passed on June 17 by NGT’s principal bench comprising Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Justice M. Sathyanarayanan, Justice Brijesh Sethi and expert member Dr. Nagin Nanda.
The committee will include officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), UPPCB, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and district magistrate of Varanasi.
UPPCB will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. The committee may meet within two weeks and review the action plan on the subject in the light of the pre-existing action plans, if any, with such modifications as may be necessary. The committee will be at liberty to take assistance of any other expert/institution, including an agency dealing in rejuvenating works. It may undertake field visit, including sample collection and analysis as required, the NGT mandated in its order.
Tiwari said, “According to the order, based on the report of the committee, the NMCG may give an action taken report in the matter before August 4. The report may cover status on water quality of Assi, Varuna, action taken on diversion and treatment of sewage, water quality of upstream and downstream of confluence of Assi and Varuna to river Ganga, demarcation of flood plain zones of Assi, Varuna and Ganga, in accordance with the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.”
He added, “The action taken report may be furnished by e-mail. The matter has been listed for further consideration on August 4.”