The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter relating to the contaminated water found in 81 out of 82 sources in different villages along the Palkhi route in Pune district, Maharashtra.
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item dated 24.06.2024.
As per the article, water samples from all 82 sources were sent to government-run sub-regional laboratories for testing. The samples were taken from villages in and around Baramati such as Medad, Malegaon, Budruk, Undavadisupe, Undavadi Kade Pathar, Barhanpur, Pimpali and Katewadi located on the Palkhi route. According to the reports, water from 81 out of the 82 sources was unfit for consumption.
The article alleges that most of the water samples from city areas of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are safe and fit for consumption as the water sources are regularly cleaned and maintained. The water samples unfit for consumption are from water sources in rural parts of Pune in villages located on the Palkhi route.
It is also highlighted that Drinking unfit or unsafe water can cause gastroenteritis, jaundice, typhoid, cholera or diarrhea.
The above matter indicated Bench violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the provisions of The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power 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.”
Hence, Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A. Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
(i) Central Pollution Control Board.
(ii) Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, through its Member Secretary.
(iii) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
(iv) District Magistrate, Pune.
The Bench issued notice to the Respondents.
Since the matter relates to the Western Zonal Bench, Pune , therefore, the Bench transferred the matter to the Western Zonal Bench for appropriate further action.Office is directed by the NGT to transfer the original record to the Western Zonal Bench and the matter is listed on 23.09.2024.