The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in its affidavit filed to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the matter of Ulhas river pollution has stated that four out of five CETPs in Dombivli-Ambernath belt are not working.
Based on an appeal filed by NGO Vanshakti that the chemical effluent treatment plants (CETPs) in Dombivli-Ambernath are not working properly and untreated chemical effluents are released in Ulhas river, the NGT, on July 2015, had asked CPCB to inspect the CETPs.
The CPCB in its reply to NGT said only Chikhloli-Morivali CETP is functioning according to the formers parameters. However, the additional Ambernath CETP, the Dombivli better environment association CETP, Dombivli chemical (phase II) CETP and ACMA co-operative society limited CETP do not meet these standards.
"In the circumstances, right course will be to direct the joint inspection by CPCB and MPCB of CETPs. Hold a meeting on fact-findings collected during inspection in a meeting with CETP operators to identify the effective implementation in its functioning and to ensure CETP compliance to the standard prescribed," said the tribunal in an order dated March 16.
Vanshakti, which took up the Ulhas river pollution matter in August 2012 with Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), CPCB and other agencies feels vindicated by this decision of NGT.
"In the light of the facts surfaced after the CPCB affidavit at NGT, we demand closure of Dombivli Better Environment Systems Association (DBESA) CETP with immediate effect," said Ashwin Aghor of Vanshati. "It should not be allowed to reopen till it complies with all the environment protection norms and the outlet parameters of treated effluents. Similarly, the officers posted at the Kalyan Regional office of the MPCB should be penalized for dereliction of duty," he added.
