Septage leak in Pallavaram: NGT calls panel report ‘vague’

Chennai

The tribunal, however, taking a dig at the report, said, “Joint Committee report is vague regarding how the sewage water is collected and disposed of ultimately. Further, there is no mention of action taken against those persons who have illegally discharged the sewage into the stormwater drain, causing pollution.”

The case pertains to suo motu proceedings initiated by the tribunal based on a media report that sewage water is being discharged into the rainwater drain canal in the municipality area. The bench comprising Justice K Ramakrishnan and Saibal Dasgupta, in its earlier order, had constituted a committee comprising the Commissioner of the municipality and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to look into the allegations and file a status report along with an action plan.

When the matter was taken up for hearing through video conferencing, the committee informed that the area was inspected on March 3 and June 5 and found that sullage water being discharged into the rainwater drain canal were from four houses and they were disconnected immediately.

Refusing to accept the submission, the bench directed the committee to submit a further report regarding the action taken against the violators, including the imposition of environment compensation and also comprehensive steps taken for remedying the situation permanently. Further, the report should add how the water collected from the houses (mentioned in the report) are being diverted and ultimately discharged. The tribunal has directed the committee to submit the report within two months.