Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding dumping of fly ash in river Muri Ganga, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, 29/04/2025
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of In Re: Sinking Ba’deshi vessel dumps toxic fly ash in river near Ghoramara, shows video shared by panchayat member News item published in the Times of India Kolkata Section dt 17.02.2025 dated 29/04/2025.
West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) informed the court that a letter was issued to the Director, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) on March 5, 2025 directing the concerned Shipping Agent to dispose of the fly ash from both the Vessel in environmentally safe manner (for use of cement and concrete industry, brick and block making industry, land filling with proper lining to prevent leaching) and submit report. From the reply submitted by the Director, IWAI , found that a Bangladeshi Flag Vessel MV Sea World was carrying 1190 MT of fly ash from Budge Budge Jetty No.4. Name of the exporter is M/s IRC Commercials. Fly ash amounting to 600 MT has been recovered.
Another letter has been issued to the Director, Inland Waterways Authority of India with a request to share the cause behind disposal of fly ash into the river and it is stated that after receiving the necessary information from, further steps for verification / inspection will be carried out. NGT, eastern bench directed the West Bengal Pollution Control Board to file further affidavit bringing on record the action taken report.
The matter related to a sinking Bangladeshi vessel illegally dumping toxic fly ash into the Muri Ganga river, raising serious environmental concerns.