NGT issues notice to NMCG, others over Yamuna pollution
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a response from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and others regarding non-compliance of its directions against the discharge of untreated sewage and wastewater from Uttar Pradesh’s Vrindavan and Kosi towns into the Yamuna River.
A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad was hearing a plea seeking execution of the tribunal’s December 2021 order directing authorities to revamp the sewage-treatment infrastructure, remove encroachments and undertake plantations to secure the river.
Advocate Akash Vashishtha, who appeared before the tribunal for applicant Vijay Kishor Goswami, the head priest of the Shri Radha Madan Mohan temple, said the river water is completely unsuitable for bathing, drinking or domestic purposes.
In its order dated April 16, the NGT said, “The grievance of the applicant is that, though a considerable period has passed, the above directions have not been complied with.” “Issue notice to the respondents,” it added.
The respondents or parties include the NMCG, the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Mathura Vrindavan Nagar Nigam, the Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority, the Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The matter has been posted for further proceedings on August 4.
