Joint panel formed to check pollutants in Cauvery river 

Taking suo moto cognizance over media reports that dried Cauvery is being filled with sewage water, Justice K Ramakrishnan, Judicial Member and Expert Member, Saibal Dasgupta said, “Being a signatory to the United Nation Conventions and party to the agreement dealing with climate change, the state and local bodies are bound to honour the same by taking necessary steps to protect environment.”

A media report alleged that untreated sewage being discharged in Pallipalayam, Namakkal in the northern side and towards southern side, sewage from Erode Corporation and effluents from dyeing, leather industries are being discharged near Vairapalayam dump.

The bench noted that regulating authorities must be vigilant in implementing the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981. The Bench directed the committee to inspect the area, including units responsible for the discharge of effluents, to collect water sample and ascertain the quality of water and if it is polluted and is not in conformity with quality of drinking water and suggest the remedial measures to solve the issues.

The tribunal has also asked the committee to trace sources for contamination. “The water quality analysis must contain not only bio-chemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and potential of hydrogen value but also coliform, faecal coliform and heavy metals which affects health indirectly,” it said.

The joint committee comprising District Collectors of Erode and Namakkal; TNPCB Engineer-in-Chief; Water Resources Organisation and Chief Engineer (General)of PWD; Superintending Engineer, PWD, Water Resources Organisation Upper Cauvery Basin Circle; Superintending Engineer, PWD, WRO, Bhavani Basin Circle; Municipal Commissioner of Erode Municipal Corporation and Municipal Commissioner of Pallipalayam Municipality to look into the matter and submit a detailed status and action taken report regarding the allegations within two months.