Gujarat HC issues contempt notice to GPCB, Ahmedabad collector over non-compliance in sewage water case

Gujarat High Court has issued a contempt notice against GPCB, Ahmedabad collector, municipal commissioner (admin) and ex-officio MD of Gujarat Urban Development Company Limited, for non-compliance of its order in a matter related to discharging untreated sewage water into the waterbodies of Bhetawada, Trasad, and Nesda villages of Dholka in Ahmedabad district.

The court initiated contempt proceedings against R B Barad, chairman, GPCB, Sujeet Kumar, collector, Ahmedabad, Ramya Mohan, commissioner of municipal administration and ex-officio MD of Gujarat Urban Development Company Ltd, Prathnaben Jadeja, chief officer, Dholka and M Thennarasan, chairman, Gujarat Urban Development Company.

The court have asked the responsible officers to sort out the issue raised in the PIL and come up with a concrete plan to curb water pollution in the ponds of these three villages by next date of hearing in the case.

The high court, while hearing a PIL opined that it is clear from the sample report that there is physical appearance, smell and strong presence of faecal coliform and it also represents the partially treated domestic waste water diluted with rain water. There is a presence of sewage-waste water in the water bodies of Trasad, Bhetavada and Nesda villages. The findings appear to be in defiance of the court’s directions.

It is shocking to know that, the operators have informed that that they discharge the sewage water after treating, into Sabarmati river by underground pipeline of about 7 km.

However, the GPCB officer who was present on the spot, informed that the said treated sewage water cannot be discharged into Sabarmati river as it is not permissible and the same should be used for gardening and nursery purpose of Nagarpalika and also be given for irrigation after making MoU with farmers.

The court also said that it is noted in the report that “the STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) is not functioning at its full capacity”. The villagers are using the ponds for their agricultural purpose and they are constrained to yield the produce, which stands out of such polluted water.

A PIL was filed by Naranbhai Patel in 2018 seeking directions for remediation of the Bhetavada pond.