HC directs state to clarify stand on Godavari
Observing that it is the duty and the constitutional obligation of the state government to protect the environment, Bombay High Court directed the chief secretary of the state to file his own affidavit or an affidavit of any senior officer making the stand of the state government clear as to whether the state is interested in implementation of the project of rejuvenation of River Godavari.
The HC gave these directions while hearing a PIL filed by Rajesh Pandit and others about pollution of the river.
National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has been directed to be the expert agency by the HC. The copy of the judgement was uploaded on 15 April and the next hearing is on 21 April.
Earlier the HC directed the government to give police protection to banks of Godavari River. It further directed the divisional commissioner to depute officers to make random visits to concerned areas to ascertain whether the police force as claimed by the state government is being regularly deployed.
The High Court has also directed the government and Nashik Municipal Corporation to implement the recommendations of NEERI for the rejuvenation of the river.
The HC observed that NMC needs funds for implementation and had directed the state government to deal with it.
The state government asked the Centre for funds. The central government informed the state government to utilise its own funds or generate finance by approaching ADB and secure necessary funds for implementation of the project. About Rs 521.26 crore is needed to implement the scheme.
The HC also warned that if there was non-compliance with material directions issued from time to time, it would initiate action under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
The 1,465-km Godavari is the second-longest river in India and starts from Trimbakeshwar mountains in Nashik.
The Simhasth Kumbh Mela is held on its river banks. The river has become highly contaminated due to effluents and sewage being pumped into it regularly.