Officers pulled up for water pollution

Puri: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed concern over the fast-depleting and polluting of groundwater in Puri. The tribunal has also issued notice to the central ground water board and directed it to file an affidavit about the current water level and pollution status in the city in eight weeks.
The tribunal has fixed the next hearing in the case November 11.
The case related to pollution of groundwater in Puri town was pending with the tribunal since 2013 after a petition was filed in this regard by Subash Dutta of Kolkata.
Earlier, the case was being heard by NGT, Delhi before it was shifted to eastern zone (Kolkata). The last hearing in the case was conducted September 22.
The petitioner during August 18 hearing had alleged that encroachments on Puri beach are on the rise and play a major part in polluting groundwater. On the other hand, Puri municipality had informed the tribunal that police help is required to remove encroachments from the beach area.
During the recent hearing, the tribunal directed the municipality, district administration and superintendent of police to work in tandem to remove encroachments from the beach. The tribunal directed the municipality and SP to file affidavit before the next hearing about the steps taken to remove encroachments.
Besides, the tribunal during July 14 and August 18 hearings had directed the state government to implement some directives. In the latest hearing the tribunal directed the state to file an affidavit before the next hearing to inform about the steps taken by it to implement the directives.
But, Puri-Konark development authority (PKDA) has sought more time to file an affidavit in this regard.
Moreover, the state sewerage board also filed an affidavit before the tribunal during the hearing. In the affidavit, the board stated that there is a delay in construction of sewerage lines due to the uncooperative attitude of the local people. The board also mentioned about the steps it has been taken so far in this regard.

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