AURANGABAD: The Pune bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the state government and other officials over various environmental issues plaguing the Mukundnagar area in Ahmednagar. The Mukundnagar Vikas Committee in Ahmednagar had filed an environment interest litigation through advocate Asim Sarode highlighting garbage mismanagement and the constant neglect of an effective drainage system in the area. Taking serious cognizance of the application, the NGT bench comprising Justice Jawad Rahim and expert member Ajay Deshpande issued notices to the commissioner of Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation, district collector, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), secretary of the environment department, the state of Maharashtra and water resources department. The NGT has directed all the respondents to remain present and file their reply on August 26. According to the application, Mukundnagar is suburb in Ahmednagar having a population of more than 50,000. The area is constantly facing discrimination by the municipal corporation on various aspects of development. It has been alleged that the area has been constantly neglected over providing basic infrastructure as the majority of people living there belong to the Muslim community. The applicants stated that those who are living in Mukundnagar have been exploited and electorally marginalized, as sufficient budgetary provision is not made on providing basic amenities. They said the municipal corporation is releasing untreated sewage water into the Sina river through various outlets, but the district collector and the water resources department are not taking it seriously. Legal notices were issued to the civic body and MPCB by the Mukundnagar Vikas Committee, but authorties failed to respond. Finally, the applicants decided to approach the NGT. The petition mentions that roads in the Mukundnagar area are in a pathetic condition, which is not only causing problems to the vehicles but also creating health hazards for the people. The absence of tar roads in Mukundnagar is spreading dust in the air because of which the ambient air quality has also become toxic, the applicants stated. "The applicants have also demanded that the irrigation department should take legal action against the civic body and others for releasing untreated sewage water into the Sina river," Sarode said.