Pollution at Powai Lake: NGT orders setting up of panel for remedial measures
The committee will comprise members of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Maharashtra State Wetland Authority (MSWA),
The order, uploaded on Friday, took cognisance of an application filed by Rakesh Bakshi, a member of DK Flag Foundation, who flagged that nearly 80 per cent of the lake's surface is engulfed by invasive water hyacinths, rapidly depleting oxygen levels and endangering aquatic life, including its crocodile population.
Hearing the application on July 10, the NGT bench of judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Dr. Afroz Ahmad found prima facie substantial questions relating to environment, under the enactments specified in Schedule-I of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
Pointing to the environmental concerns flagged, the NGT has called for the formation of a joint committee comprising officials of the CPCB, MPCB and the MSWA to conduct a joint site visit within two weeks and verify the grievances.
The MPCB has been made the nodal agency for coordination in the committee, who have been directed to submit a report outlining the remedial measures.
The report is expected to be submitted before the NGT's Western Zone Bench at Pune within one month.
Meanwhile, with the application raising concerns over neglect by the the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the NGT has also issued notices to BMC, MPCB, MSWA and the state government, directing them to submit a response by September detailing remedial measures and causes for neglect of the water body.
Earlier this month, the BMC floated a Rs 71 crore tender to set up a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at the lake to treat the sewage water. According to civic officials, nearly 18 million litres (MLD) of sewage water flows into the lake.
Of the total 18 MLD, nearly eight million litres of sewage is proposed to be treated at the STP treatment plant, before being discharged back to the lake. Meanwhile, to improve the water quality, the remaining eight million litre waste waste will be diverted to the STP in Bhandup while the remaining two million litre water will be diverted for treatment to the STP near Mithi River.
The civic plan came along the heels of a campaign launched by the civic-appointed Advanced Locality Management committee and NatConnect Foundation.
'Powai Lake is the victim of a long neglect by officials and elected representatives. While the BMC has thankfully stepped in now, the process of executing the work of diverting the sewer and setting the treatment plants must be transparent and time-bound,' said B N Kumar, director of the environment watchdog group, NatConnect Foundation.
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