The National Green Tribunal has recently directed the Dhindori district collector, Narmada Valley Development Authority vice chairman and other authorities concerned, to appear before it in connection with the matter of pollution of the river Narmada.
A bench comprising of judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member Afroz Ahmad stated, “It is not disputed that continuously untreated municipal sewage that’s being discharged in river Narmada causing pollution.” The violators have also committed an offence under provision of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, it said.
The bench stated, “Before taking any strict action in the matter, including prosecution against the responsible officers, we find it appropriate to give an opportunity to all parties concerned.”
It stated, “Therefore, we direct Vice Chairman, Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA), Bhopal; Chief Municipal Officer, Dindori; and Collector Dindori to appear before this tribunal on October 4.”
The tribunal heard a petition filed by advocates Manan Agarwal and Samyak Jain against the untreated sewage entering the Narmada in Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh.