The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday instructed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and the state government to file a report detailing the causes of pollution in the Vaigai River and propose a plan of action to address the issue.
The bench, consisting of Justices GR Swaminathan and P Pugazhendhi, initiated the case suo motu after reviewing a petition highlighting the dangerously high levels of pollution in the river.
During the proceedings, Additional Advocate General Veerakathiravan acknowledged that sewage was being discharged into the river and assured the court that urgent steps would be taken to address the issue.
Veerakathiravan further committed to submitting a comprehensive action plan by January 20, 2025, which would be developed in consultation with various departments, including water resources, municipal administration, rural development, and the forest department.
This order comes in response to the gravity of the pollution problem and the lack of action on the court’s earlier directives. The bench acted on reports from the Madurai Nature Cultural Foundation (MNCF), an NGO that conducted a study on the river’s pollution. The study found that the river’s water quality is classified below grade D, making it unsuitable for agricultural or drinking purposes, and only fit for industrial use.
The court’s intervention also highlights the failure to comply with prior orders meant to protect the river, leading to the filing of two contempt petitions.
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