The National Green Tribunal bench headed by Justice Adarsh Goel has directed National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) to take necessary action in the matter of muck disposal reaching the river system of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga.
While hearing a petition filed by Gram Pradhan & Residents of Tapoban, the court observed that there is a clear possibility of muck reaching the river system, which needs to be prevented by levying adequate protective measures.
The applicants also filed photographs for all the muck disposal sites that are nearly 300 to 600 meters away from the River. The concerned muck disposal sites are, Near TBM Adit, Dhak near ITI, Barrage site at Tapovan, Near BVC/ Pressure Shaft and Power House site at Animath and most of these muck disposal sites has completed their dumping 2-5 years back.
The bench in its order further directed the constitution of an Expert Committee consisting of Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla, Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Dehradun and the State Pollution Control Board, and the report is to be furnished by 31.01.2020. However, compliance report is to be submitted by SPCB by 31.03.2020.
— India Legal Bureau