Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding discharge of untreated effluent by Triveni Sugar Mill at Khatoli, district Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, 21/09/2021
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Chandra Shekhar Vs State of Uttar Pradesh dated 21/09/2021.
Grievance in the application is against discharge of untreated effluent by Triveni Sugar Mill at Khatoli, district Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in contamination of groundwater in the area of about one and a half kilometers and upto depth of 50 meters. This has affected the health of the inhabitants and the inhabitants are not able to access potable water.
The NGT expressed its dissatisfaction with the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board reports - the SPCB report, September 14, 2021 said that the industry was not operational due to off-season and no contamination was found in the groundwater samples. The status of ETP was found to be 'non-operational' and on effluent was found at the outlet of ETP.
The NGT, September 21, 2021 directed a Joint Committee to conduct inspection when the unit is functional and furnish a report before December 15, 2021. The report must indicate the status of compliance with the standards, quality of treated effluents and utilisation as per protocol/ agreement with the farmers. Also, the report must mention whether effluents are reaching any drain leading to river or any other water body.