The Chhattisgarh High Court recently took suo motu cognizance of a news article published in a Hindi newspaper highlighting the grave issue of environmental pollution in the industrial areas of Tifra and Sirgitti in Bilaspur District.
The news article revealed that the Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. and the Municipal Corporation, Bilaspur, had failed to dispose of industrial waste, resulting in severe environmental pollution.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, considering the seriousness of the matter, took up the case during the winter holidays.
The news article stated that the waste generated from 300 industrial units was being dumped in the area, causing harm to the environment and public health.
The Municipal Corporation had entered into an agreement with a private contractor for waste disposal, but the contractor had refused to lift the waste due to personal reasons.
The court heard the submissions of the Additional Advocate General, Raj Kumar Gupta, who stated that prompt action had been taken by the authorities concerned, and the Kesda Waste Management Plant had been installed.
However, the court expressed concern that the authorities had taken action only after the publication of the news article and the registration of the PIL.
The court directed the Secretary, Urban Administration & Development, Government of Chhattisgarh, to file a personal affidavit explaining the delay in taking action and the alternate arrangements made for disposing of industrial waste.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on January 8, 2025.