New Delhi: A bench headed by U D
Salvi, after taking suo moto cognisance of a newspaper report, issued
notices to Delhi government, Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Central Ground Water
Authority (CGWA), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the four municipal corporations to
reply to the malady of the citizens.
The appalling picture of
water supply in the capital has prompted the National Green Tribunal to
seek the response of the Delhi government in the matter saying there is a
complete "mismanagement of affairs".
A bench headed by U D
Salvi, after taking suo moto cognisance of a newspaper report, issued
notices to Delhi government, Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Central Ground Water
Authority (CGWA), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the four municipal corporations to
reply to the malady of the citizens.
The matter is listed for next hearing on July 14.
The
green panel noted that the newspaper report revealed that the "stinking
and dirty" water flowing through water supply lines and the borewells
are pumping out contaminated water.
This is due to the complete "mismanagement of affairs" regarding the water supply and effluent treatment, the bench noted.
"This
is a fit case to take cognisance of suo-moto. This be registered as
Suo-Moto Original Application. We therefore, issue notice to the
Government of NCT, Delhi, Delhi Jal Board, Central Ground Water
Authority…" the bench said.
The bench also directed Delhi Jal
Board, Central Ground Water Authority, DPCC and CPCB to submit status
report regarding quality of water received at various residential
locations in Delhi through Delhi Jal Board water supply lines.
"The
status report shall also reveal before us the quantity of water
received from water supply lines to various locations in a day. The
status report shall place before us the facts regarding the quality of
groundwater available through the community borewells and handpumps
spread over the city of Delhi," the bench said.
Contaminated water is a major cause of health related problems, especially in unplanned colonies.