Ganga pollution: NGT cracks whip on those polluting the river, fines UP sugar mill Rs 5 crore

Uttar Pradesh, Oct 17: Cracking the whip on companies and industries that have been polluting river Ganga by releasing effluents into the river, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed UP's Simbhaoli Sugar Mills to pay a compensation of Rs 5 crore. NGT said, this is being done for "intentionally avoiding to discharge their social corporate responsibility" and polluting the river.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the sugar mill to deposit money to Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) which would later be used for preventing ground water pollution.

"There is ample documentary evidence in the form of affidavits, inspection reports and analysis reports to show that Simbhaoli Sugar Mills is not only been a source of continuous pollution particularly surface and ground water but also failed to take precautions of its own accord and even in terms of the directions issued by the respective Board from time to time.

"We fix a compensation of Rs five crore which shall be deposited with the UPPCB and shall be spent for that purpose alone by and joint team of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and UPPCB, including for removal of sludge and all pollutants in the Syana Escape Canal till it joins river Ganga. This amount shall also be used for preventing ground water pollution," the bench said.

Not only this sugar mill, the NGT also directed Gopalji Milk Food and Pvt Ltd to pay Rs 25 lakh for causing ground and surface water pollution in and around its premises leading to river Ganga.

Such fines would also be imposed on companies who will not stop polluting the river in a direct or indirect manner.

(With inputs from agencies)

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