Disposed

News Item Titled Mp the Condition of Mp Ganga Is Very Bad! Devotees Related to Ramayana Are Troubled by the Dirt in Betwa; See Photos Appearing in Zee News Dated 18.04.2024 v. M.P Pollution Control Board

NGT13 Aug 2024Original Application No. 149/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The Tribunal examined reports on untreated sewage discharge from three nallas into the Betwa River in Vidisha. Relying on inspections and project data, the Court found wastewater is being intercepted and treated. It directed strict compliance with relevant laws and remedial actions for river maintenance.

What did the court decide?

Directed strict compliance with the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016; ordered removal of silt and maintenance of ghats; disposed of the appl

News Item Titled Mp the Condition of Mp Ganga Is Very… — Environment and Pollution | NGT (2024)

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Item No. 02

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BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL CENTRAL ZONE BENCH, BHOPAL (Through Video Conferencing)

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Original Application No.149/2024(CZ) (O.A.No.576/2024 - PB)

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News item titled “ MP dh xaxk d s gky csgky! jkek;.k ls tqM +h csrok dh xanxh ls J)kyq ij s’kku( ns[ksa rLohj sa " appearing in Zee News dated 18.04.2024.

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Date of Hearing: 13.08.2024

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CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SHEO KUMAR SINGH, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON'BLE DR. A SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER

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For Applicant (s): None For Respondent(s) : Mr. Prashant M. Harne, Adv. with Mr. Mehul Bhardwaj, Adv. Mr. Yadvendra Yadav, Adv. Ms. Parul Bhadoria, Adv.

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ORDER

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The issue of discharge of untreated water/sewage water into the river

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Betwa and noncompliance of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 has been raised in this application.

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The matter was taken up by this Tribunal and State Pollution Control Board was directed to submit the factual and action taken report. In compliance thereof the State Pollution Control Board has submitted report as follows :

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“With reference to the order of Hon’ble NGT dated 22/05/2024, a visit of Vidisha town was conducted by MPPCB Officials Shri Brajesh Sharma, Regional Officer, RO, MPPCB, Bhopal and Shri Jainendra Chandel, Chemist, RO, MPPCB, Bhopal on dated 12/07/2024. During the visit MPPCB officials met with the official of Municipal Council, Vidisha and discussed the current status of sewerage system of Vidisha town and Nallas emerging from Vidisha

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Original Application NO.149/2024 (CZ)

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News item titled “ MP dh xaxk d s gky csgky! jkek;.k ls tqM +h csrok dh xanxh ls J)kyq ij s’kku( ns[ksa rLohj sa " appearing in Zee News dated 18.04.2024.

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town joining River Betwa in reference to Hon’ble NGT order dated 22/05/2024. Also, MPPCB and Municipal Council, Vidisha officials visited the Vidisha town to identify 05 Nallas as mentioned in the order of Hon’ble NGT, which carries the city waste water and joins the River Betwa. The 05 nallas identified as Chorghat nalla, Kabristan nalla, Water works road nalla, Gaushala nalla and Piliya nalla. Presently 04 nallas namely Chorghat nalla, Kabristan nalla, Water works road nalla and Gaushala nalla are carrying waste water of city, whereas Piliya nalla located away from the city area and does not contain city waste water. The Kabristan nalla and Water works road nalla joins the Chorghat nalla before mixing in to River Betwa. Therefore, there are 03 nallas namely Chorghat nalla, Gaushala nalla and Piliya nalla ultimately joining River Betwa at three different locations.

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The officials visited confluence points of 03 nallas, the Charanteerth ghat, Gau ghat and the Sewage Treatment Plant, Jatrapura. The observations were recorded during the visit and are as under:-

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1.1 River Betwa enters Vidisha town with geographical location of 23°02' - 77°20' from South - West side of Vidisha. The town is located on east side of the River Betwa.

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1.2 River Betwa travels approx. 7.0 Kms along the outer periphery on west side of Vidisha town from Railway bridge, Vidisha to confluence of River Betwa and River Bais.

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1.3 Two stop dams namely Kalidas dam and Chota Dam are constructed across the River Betwa to provide the water supply to Vidisha. These dams are located between above travel length of 7.0 Km.

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1.4 Water intake well is constructed at Chota Dam and water treatment plant of 27 MLD capacity is located approx. 0.60 KM away from the intake well.

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News item titled “ MP dh xaxk d s gky csgky! jkek;.k ls tqM +h csrok dh xanxh ls J)kyq ij s’kku( ns[ksa rLohj sa " appearing in Zee News dated 18.04.2024.

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Original Application NO.149/2024 (CZ)

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1.5 Piliya nalla meets River Betwa approx. 0.40 KM downstream of Railway bridge. During inspection, no city waste water was found in this nalla.

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1.6 Chota Dam intake well is located approx 4.70 KM downstream of Piliya Nalla.

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1.7 Another nalla called Chorghat Nalla was meeting the River Betwa approx. 0.70 KM downstream of Chota Dam.

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1.8 Charanteerth Ghat is approx. 0.70 KM downstream of Chorghat nalla confluence point.

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1.9 Gaushala Nalla meeting the River Betwa approx. 0.10 KM downstream from Charanteerth Ghat.

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1.10 A sewage treatment plant, Jatrapura of capacity 22.25 MLD is located at approx 0.30 KM away on East side of River Betwa.

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1.11 The Sewage Treatment Plant was found in working condition at the time of inspection. A water testing laboratory is established in the STP premises. The data related to inflow of waste water and the parameters of treated waste water were check from the record maintained by the lab staff. As per record average inflow is 12.20 MLD. The BOD of treated waste water parameters is reported as 6.2 mg/l, which is confirming the norms of 10 mg/l.

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1.12 Continues Effluent monitoring system (CEMS) is installed in the STP and was functional. The display unit was showing values of COD, BOD, pH, Total suspended solids in the treated waste water.

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Water Quality of River Betwa :- The water quality of River Betwa is regularly monitored by MPPCB on monthly basis at three water sampling locations. Out of three sampling locations, two locations namely Intake well and Charanteerth Ghat are approved and sponsored by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under National Water Monitoring Program (NWMP). One sampling location of River Betwa is located at

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Original Application NO.149/2024 (CZ)

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News item titled “ MP dh xaxk d s gky csgky! jkek;.k ls tqM +h csrok dh xanxh ls J)kyq ij s’kku( ns[ksa rLohj sa " appearing in Zee News dated 18.04.2024.

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Railway bridge, which is covered under MPPCB monthly package monitoring program. The river water quality analysis data of above three sampling locations from 01/04/2023 to 31/03/2024 are tabulated in a comparative form and enclosed as Annexure-III. Accordingly, water quality at the three mentioned locations above is observed as under :-

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2.1.1 Charanteerth Ghat:- The main parameters i.e, BOD, Dissolved Oxygen, and Total Coliforms from 01/04/2023 to 31/03/2024 are shown in graph:-

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2.1.2 Intake Well : The main parameters i.e., BOD, Dissolved Oxygen, and Total Coliforms from

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01.04.2023 to 31.03.2024 are shown in graph.

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2.1.3 Railway Road Bridge : The main parameters i.e., BOD, Dissolved Oxygen, and Total Coliforms from 01.04.2023 to 31.03.2024 are shown in graph

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Graphs shows that overall average BOD is in the range of Min- 01 mg/l to Max - 10 mg/l, Avg- 3 g/l, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is in the range of Min - 4.0 mg/l to Max 9.0 mg/l, Avg- 6 mg/l and Total coliform is ranging from 300-350 MPN/100ml. The presence of Dissolved Oxygen in River Betwa water shows suitable environment for the existence of aquatic life. As per CPCB water quality criteria for designated best use of River water, it is falling in B category as per Average data of BOD, DO and MPN.

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Similar Issues of Sewage Generation And Its Treatment Addressed In Other Hon’ble NGT Cases:-

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3.1 With reference to the Hon’ble NGT order dated 10.11.2022, passed in OA 606/2018 In re: Compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and other environment issues, issue of solid as well as liquid waste management in entire State of Madhya Pradesh is

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News item titled “ MP dh xaxk d s gky csgky! jkek;.k ls tqM +h csrok dh xanxh ls J)kyq ij s’kku( ns[ksa rLohj sa " appearing in Zee News dated 18.04.2024.

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Original Application NO.149/2024 (CZ)

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addressed and reports submitted for 04 Nallas joining River Betwa were considered.

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3.2 It is humbly submitted that as per the order of OA 606/2018 the environmental compensation till June 2022 regarding untreated sewage flow in the three mentioned nallas viz., Chorghat nalla, Gaushala nalla, Piliya nalla was imposed on Municipal Council, Vidisha.

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Information Provided by the Municipal Council, Vidisha :-

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4.1 In compliance to the order of Hon’ble NGT dated 22/05/2024, MPPCB issued vide letter no. 1385 dated 25/06/2024 to Municipal Council, Vidisha to provide information regarding generation of sewage, current status of sewage treatment plants, details of sewage network and details of the drains in Vidisha. The copy is enclosed as Annexure-IV.

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4.2 Municipal Council, Vidisha vide letter no. 3049 dated 18/07/2024 provided information regarding generation of sewage, current status of sewage treatment plants, details of sewage network, details of the drains and proposal for interception and diversion of city waste water of Vidisha. The copy is enclosed as Annexure-V. The main points of the letter are mentioned as under:-

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4.2.1 According to the 2011 census, the population of Vidisha city is 166429.

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4.2.2 The city is situated on the banks of River Betwa. Water treatment plant of capacity 27MLD is installed for drinking water.

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4.2.3 At present, 22MLD pure water is supplied to the city through 285 km long pipeline.

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4.2.4 Under Amrit Yojana 1.0, STP of capacity 22.50 MLD has been constructed. The sewage water is sent to the SBR based sewage treatment plant through the 175 KM long sewage network for treatment. The test

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Original Application NO.149/2024 (CZ)

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News item titled “ MP dh xaxk d s gky csgky! jkek;.k ls tqM +h csrok dh xanxh ls J)kyq ij s’kku( ns[ksa rLohj sa " appearing in Zee News dated 18.04.2024.

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report of treated water is attached with the letter. The treated water is used in gardening, irrigation and fire fighting.

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4.2.5 There are 56 covered campus colonies in Vidisha city which are operated by resident associations with approximately 10215 households in all these colonies. In all these colonies, septic tanks are provided for proper disposal of sewage and approximately 4.8 MLD sewage is disposed off in those tanks which are cleaned from time to time by the Municipality after receiving the prescribed fee from the concerned household.

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4.2.6 The remaining area of Vidisha is proposed to be covered by 54.10 km long sewage network under the AMRUT 2.0. 10325 house service connections are to be made. The agency has been selected by issuing tender under this scheme. The work will be started soon after getting the contract executed.

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4.2.7 Under Amrit 2.0 Scheme, 11 MLD treatment plant, 06 high level water tanks, laying of pipeline for raw water from Halali Dam to Vidisha Filter Plant, 7500 tap connections and 114 kms distribution pipeline work is proposed.

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4.2.8 Under Amrit 2.0 scheme, work order No. 2915 dated 11.07.2024 has been issued to M/s Shree Contractor, Ajmer.

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4.2.9 In Vidisha, mainly 03 drains meet in Betwa river namely Gaushala nalla, Chorghat nalla and Piliya nalla whereas 02 other drains are found merging in Chorghat drain. The sewage water from the mentioned drains will be trapped and transported to STP of capacity 22.25 MLD by Interception & diversion technique for its treatment.

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News item titled “ MP dh xaxk d s gky csgky! jkek;.k ls tqM +h csrok dh xanxh ls J)kyq ij s’kku( ns[ksa rLohj sa " appearing in Zee News dated 18.04.2024.

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Original Application NO.149/2024 (CZ)

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4.2.10 Under Amrit 2.0 scheme, work order number 2601 dated 27.06.2024 has been issued to M/s Radhaum Enterprises, Vidisha as the rate presented them was minimum. A copy of the work order is attached with the letter.

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4.2.11 Under the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan, the cleaning of Betwa River was done by Municipal Council, Vidisha from 05.06.2024 to 31.06.2024. The ghats namely Charanteerth Ghat, Badhwala Ghat, Ram Ghat, Mahalghat and Triveni Ghat etc. located on the banks of Betwa river are cleaned on daily basis by Vidisha Municipality. The municipality has put up information boards on the river ghats to prevent littering and ban on fishing. A separate Janaki Kund has been arranged by the body for immersion of Ganesh and Durga idols, Moharram Tajiya and Bhujriya etc. Immersion related work is done strictly in the said pond. For this, the municipality deploys its employees at Janaki Kund by arranging necessary resources like canes, divers, barricades etc. Besides, necessary police force is also deployed by the district administration and is monitored by SDM. Information boards regarding ban on idol immersion in Betwa river have been installed.

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4.2.12 For the movement of devotees, an over bridge has been constructed by the Public Works Department on Betwa River due to which the access road to Betwa river has become easier.

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4.2.13 In summers, when the flow of Betwa river stops, the water level decreases. For the safety and security of aquatic life and drinking water supply in the city, water is purchased from Halali Dam and released into the river through a canal.

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Original Application NO.149/2024 (CZ)

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News item titled “ MP dh xaxk d s gky csgky! jkek;.k ls tqM +h csrok dh xanxh ls J)kyq ij s’kku( ns[ksa rLohj sa " appearing in Zee News dated 18.04.2024.

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Findings :-

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5.1 As per the submission of Municipial Council, Vidisha the city waste water carrying by drains namely Gaushala nalla, Chorghat nalla and Piliya nalla are addressed under AMRUT 2.0 and will be intercepted, diverted and treated through sewage treatment plant of capacity 22.25 MLD.

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5.2 Municipal Council, Vidisha has also issued the work order for execution of above task.

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5.3 Under the solid waste management of the Vidisha town, Municipal Council, Vidisha is operating door to door collection system. Special drive should be conducted by Municipal council to collect solid waste from River Betwa in Vidisha town, during festive seasons.

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5.4 The Ghats should be repaired and maintained properly.

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5.5 The silt and waste deposit in the river bottom near Ghats should be removed to make proper depth of river.

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A perusal of report reveals that sewage water carrying by drains namely Chorghat nalla, Gaushala nalla and Piliya nalla are being intercepted and diverted and treated through sewage treatment plant.

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Accordingly, we direct that the provisions contained in Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Solid Waste Management Rules must be strictly complied with and in case of non compliance necessary actions must be initiated.

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With these observations Original Application no. 149/2024 (CZ) stands disposed of.

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Sheo Kumar Singh, JM

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Dr. A Senthil Vel, EM

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13^th August, 2024 O.A. No. 149/2024(CZ) K

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Original Application NO.149/2024 (CZ)

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News item titled “ MP dh xaxk d s gky csgky! jkek;.k ls tqM +h csrok dh xanxh ls J)kyq ij s’kku( ns[ksa rLohj sa " appearing in Zee News dated 18.04.2024.

News Item Titled Mp the Condition of Mp Ganga Is Very Bad! Devotees Related to Ramayana Are Troubled by the Dirt in Betwa; See Photos Appearing in Zee News Dated 18.04.2024 v. M.P Pollution Control Board

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

News Item Titled Mp the Condition of Mp Ganga Is Very Bad! Devotees Related to Ramayana Are Troubled by the Dirt in Betwa; See Photos Appearing in Zee News Dated 18.04.2024 v. M.P Pollution Control Board

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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