The district administration of Haridwar on Saturday sealed the lone five star hotel here, Radisson Blu Hotel, for allegedly dumping sewage into Ganga. The action followed orders from the National Green Tribunal. Earlier, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had several times asked the State Pollution Control Board as well as the district administration to take appropriate action against Radisson Blu and four others for allegedly dumping sewage into the river.
Reacting seriously on the pollution board complaint, the NGT asked the District Magistrate, Haridwar, to present in person at the National Green Tribunal for his reply. Sources said that there was tremendous pressure on the DM to dump the file. Finally, the District Magistrate of Haridwar, HC Semwal, was asked to present in person before the bench of the NGT presided over by Justice Swatantra Kumar. Sources said Semwal was asked as to why he had not taken action against the hotel so far and also why disciplinary action should not be taken against him by the NGT. In his reply, the DM on Friday urged the bench to give him two working days. The NGT has also ordered the DM to submit action taken report (ATR) to the NGT by May 25.
Procedure to seize the Radison Blu hotel started in the morning and a joint drive was taken up by the tehsildar and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Haridwar. They also seized the generator, kitchen and laundry of the hotel. Some occupants (guests) from across the country were present in the hotel during the seizure drive. Some of them who had check-in on Friday were seen shouting upon the hotel manager and staff to keep them in dark about the legal process which was supposed to be done.
Different categories
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had recently categorised different hotels, industry and hospice into three different categories. First - Red category: Most polluting organisation, second - Orange category: Medium category and third - Green category which are free from pollution. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had imposed an order over the three-star and above hotels with more than 70 rooms in red category. They have to make their own sewage treatment plant (STP) otherwise they can’t be operated. CPCB has also ordered the State Pollution Control Board and concerned district administration to cut electricity supply of defaulter hotels and ashrams.