The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter relating to supply of muddy water in Barnala, Tarn Taran District of Punjab.
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item appearing in the daily newspaper dated 12.04.2024.
As per the news item, a clear layer of mud can be seen in the utensils upon filling the tap water and that the people who are solely dependent upon the government water supply are facing severe hardship and health hazard.
The news item also contains the apprehension of residents that there is mixing of sewer water in the tap water supply.
The news item also states that foul smell comes from tap water and the water is not fit for use.
The news item also contains the opinion of a doctor that by drinking such dirty water there is the possibility of bacterial and viral infections like cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, jaundice, etc.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of environmental norms.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
(1). Punjab Pollution Control Board through its Member Secretary.
(2). Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board through its Chairman.
(3). Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrate, Tarn Taran.
On advance notice, the status report on behalf of Respondent No. 2 has been filed stating that the water is supplied to the public after chlorination and that the underground water supply system comprises of AC pipes and MS pipelines which were laid about 70 years ago and have outlived their lives and that the interior layer of MS pipelines has corroded due to which, at times, rusty water reaches the end users.
The Counsel for Respondent No. 2 has submitted that the samples of dirty water have been taken and the sample analysis report is awaited. Without getting the sample analysis report, Respondent No. 2 could not have reached the conclusion that water is getting rusty on account of corrosion of interior layers of MS pipelines. Hence, we require Respondent No. 2 to ascertain the cause of contamination of piped water which has become a serious concern for the local residents and file a comprehensive report along with a water sample analysis report within four weeks.
Respondent No. 1, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) is also represented through the Counsel who has stated before the Tribunal that PPCB has no independent role to play in the matter.
The NGT was surprised to note such a stand of PPCB and directed the Member Secretary, PPCB is directed to place that stand on record by filing an affidavit to this effect.
The Bench issued notice to the respondent No. 3 and listed the matter on 09.08.2024.