The Court told GPCB counsel Devang Vyas, “We are doomed Mr Vyas. Only some divine power can save the situation. We don’t have divine power, but we have the power of the pen. We will not give up.”
To bring down pollution levels in the Sabarmati, the High Court of Gujarat on Friday focused on industrial effluent discharge & ordered for the efficient functioning of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), warning that if the situation does not improve in three months, it would order the closure of all seven CETPs.
During a hearing on a suo motu PIL seeking proper functioning of sewage treatment plants (STPs) so that untreated water is not released into the river, the bench of Justice J B Pardiwala & Justice V D Nanavati insisted on proper functioning of CETPs, which are being operated by private companies & monitored by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board
When Rohit Prajapati, an environment activist who is part of the High Court-constituted joint task force, expressed concerns about the functioning of CETPs except the one at Narol, the judges said, “If nothing happens in next three months, we will order the closure of all seven CETPs whatever may be the ultimate outcome it. That will be our order. We are going to watch what steps are taken against the companies running theses CETPs. Our main goal is to see that these CETPs & 14 STPs start functioning well.” The court ordered GPCB to file an affidavit on “what have you done so far with these CETPs? What steps taken to ensure that they function well? What amount of bank security you have taken from them & what is your future action plan?” The court sought answers by next Tuesday & said it would see what further directions need to be issued.
The High Court pulled up GPCB for its lethargic action & lack of monitoring of the CETPs, which “appear dead facilities”. It hauled up a GPCB official for creation of an “irreversible situation”, who is to be questioned about the monitoring of CETPs & to know the plan to improve the situation. The GPCB & AMC submitted that the CETPs are in bad shape & overhauling of the plants is required. The judges also told GPCB that if the companies do not improve the condition of the CETPs, the court may ask GPCB to take over management of the plants.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) also told the court that for last two years it had been raising the the bad condition of CETPs with GPCB. It also urged the court to direct GPCB to utilize its 45 personnel, who were deployed along with the board to crack down on industrial units outside AMC limits.
The Court told GPCB counsel Devang Vyas, “We are doomed Mr Vyas. Only some divine power can save the situation. We don’t have divine power, but we have the power of the pen. We will not give up.”
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