Disposed

News Item Titled "Chennai Citizen Connect Ambattur Residents Cry Foul as Sewage from Gated Community Pollutes Area" Appearing in Dtnext Dated 17.12.2024 vs

NGT13 Jan 2025Original Application No. 1392/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The National Green Tribunal registered a suo-motu original application based on a news report regarding untreated sewage discharge and water pollution in Ambattur, Chennai. The court impleaded various pollution control boards and authorities as respondents and transferred the matter to the Southern Zonal Bench.

What the court decided

AI extract

News Item Titled "Chennai Citizen Connect Ambattur… — Environment and Pollution | NGT (2025)

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Item No. 02

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Court No. 1

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BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI

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Original Application No. 1392/2024

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News Item titled "Chennai Citizen Connect: Ambattur residents cry foul as sewage from gated community pollutes area” appearing in DT Next dated 17.12.2024.

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Date of hearing: 13.01.2025

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CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON HON’BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER

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ORDER

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This Original Application is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item titled "Chennai Citizen Connect: Ambattur residents cry foul as sewage from gated community pollutes area” appearing in DT Next dated 17.12.2024.

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The matter relates to the discharge of untreated sewage water from a gated community in the Ambattur area of Chennai. As per the article, the discharge has led to sewage stagnation on roads, creating unhygienic conditions and contributing to the pollution of nearby water bodies, including Korattur Lake.

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The article highlights that despite lodging complaints with the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) and the local ward councilor, residents report that no inspections or remedial actions have been undertaken. The situation is exacerbated by the proximity of a private school, raising concerns about the health and safety of commuters and students. The stagnant sewage has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya in the community.

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The above news item indicates a violation of the provisions of Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Act, 1978; The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

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The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment.

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The power of the Tribunal to take up the matter suo-motu has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897 .

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Hence, we implead following as respondents in this matter:

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(i) Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), Address: Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, No.76, Mount Salai, Guindy, Chennai – 600032

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(ii) Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Address: Parivesh Bhawan, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi – 110032

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(iii) Managing Director, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), Address: No.1, Pumping Station Road, Chintadripet, Chennai – 600002.

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(iv) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Through its Regional Office, Address: Integrated Regional Office, I^st and II^nd Floor, Handloom Export Promotion Council, 34, Cathedral Garden Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 34

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(v) District Magistrate, Chennai, Address: Fourth Floor, M. Singaravelar Maaligai, 62, Rajaji Salai, Chennai Collectorate, Chennai – 600 001

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Issue notice to the above respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit before the appropriate Bench of the Tribunal at least

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one week before the next date of hearing. If any respondent directly files the reply without routing it through his advocate, then the said respondent will remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal.

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Since the matter relates to the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai, therefore, OA is transferred to the Southern Zonal Bench for appropriate further action. The office is directed to transfer the original record of the OA to Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai.

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List before Southern Zonal Bench at Chennai on 27.02.2025.

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Prakash Shrivastava, CP

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Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM

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January 13, 2025 Original Application No. 1392/2024 AS..

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News Item Titled "Chennai Citizen Connect Ambattur Residents Cry Foul as Sewage from Gated Community Pollutes Area" Appearing in Dtnext Dated 17.12.2024 vs

Case brief

What is this about?

What the court decided

News Item Titled "Chennai Citizen Connect Ambattur Residents Cry Foul as Sewage from Gated Community Pollutes Area" Appearing in Dtnext Dated 17.12.2024 vs

Case brief

What is this about?

What the court decided

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