Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding supply of safe and clean drinking water to areas affected by Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) disease, Pune, Maharashtra, 06/03/2025
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Western Zone Bench, Pune) in the matter of Rishan Sarode & Others Vs The PMC, through Municipal Commissioner & Others dated 06/03/2025.
The application was filed by the law students with the prayers that Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) be directed to ensure the supply of safe and clean drinking water to all areas affected by Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) disease and conduct periodic water quality monitoring the said disease being mainly a water-bone disease. District Collector, Pune, MPCB and Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Maharashtra be directed to immediately identify and eliminate all sources of water contamination in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad to prevent further spreading of the disease. Public Health Department, Maharashtra, Indian Council of Medical Research and Ministry of Urban Development, Maharashtra be directed to provide immediate medical aid, treatment and financial assistance to those who are affected by GBS disease.
Further, PMC and PCMC be directed to assess the water quality in all wells under their jurisdiction and eliminate contamination therein and restore them through decontamination, sealing and sustainable management; respondent authorities be held accountable under the “Polluter Pays” principle and impose a penalty for negligence leading to the spread of the disease in question.
The applicants said that due to the spreading of GBS disease in Pune city, total 166 cases of this disease are diagnosed. The outbreak of this disease is attributed to contamination of drinking water and serious urgency is reflected as five persons have succumbed, 21 patients are still on ventilators and 61 patients are in ICU while 52 persons have been discharged from the hospital. In support of this, counsel for the applicants has drawn courts attention to the report of contamination of water which showed that the samples of water taken at Kirkatwadi, Nanded, Dhayari areas were found to contain coliform bacteria and E-coli, which were on the higher side.
The NGT, western bench admitted the application and directed notice to be issued to PMC and PCMC. The authorities have been asked to disclose as to whether averments made in the application are correct and what action has been taken. The court will next hear the case on April 16, 2025.