The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took suo motu cognizance of a water contamination case in Greater Noida.
The National Green Tribunal’s Principal Bench in New Delhi has registered an original application suo-motu based on a news item published in the daily newspaper on September 13, 2024.
The article reported the presence of E. coli bacteria and bleaching powder in the water supply of Supertech Ecovillage 2, a housing society in Greater Noida West. This contamination led to over 300 residents, including 170 children, falling ill with symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and fever.
The news item highlighted the significant health risks associated with E. coli in drinking water, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. These risks include gastrointestinal infections, diarrhea, and more severe health issues. The contamination is suspected to have occurred due to improper flushing of the water tank or poor internal distribution managed by the builder or Apartment Owners Association.
The National Green Tribunal has recognized its power to take up the matter suo-motu, as established by the Supreme Court in the case of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors. The Tribunal has also identified substantial issues related to compliance with the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
The Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava , Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi , Dr. A. Senthil Vel and Dr. Afroz Ahamd has impleaded the following respondents:
– Chairman, Greater Noida Authority
– Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board
– Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
– District Magistrate (DM), Greater Noida
These respondents are required to file their responses in the form of an affidavit before the Tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing, scheduled for January 28, 2025.