NGT appoints committee to act on Vandalur lake encroachment

Judicial Member Justice K Ramakrishnan and Expert Member Saibal Dasgupta, who presided over the tribunal hearing, said, “We are satisfied that substantial questions of environment arise for which the interference of this tribunal is required.”

To ascertain the factual situation, the tribunal appointed a joint committee comprising the Chengalpet District Collector, the State Pollution Control Board and the Block Development Officer, Kattankulathur, the Secretary of the concerned gram panchayat and the Public Works Department to look into the matter and take appropriate action against the persons responsible for the violations and submit a factual as well as action-taken report within one month.

The media reports alleged that Vandalur tank, which is a waterbody catering to drinking needs as well as irrigation purposes, is being used as a dumping ground for garbage and biomedical wastes against the Bio Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.

The tribunal observed that regulating authorities were expected to monitor and take appropriate action against the violators. The bench directed the committee to recover environmental compensation and take appropriate action, including the initiation of prosecution.

The Block Development Officer (BDO) would act as the nodal officer for coordination and the District Collector is directed to give all assistance to the BDO, the tribunal said.