Polluted industrial water flowing in river Sabarmati through sewage pipelines. To avoid this the amicus curiae of the Gujarat High Court has recommended the setting up of a joint task force under a retired judicial officer with all authorities at his disposal to tackle the issue.
Amicus curiae Hemang Shah submitted a report after visiting several sites to assess the ground situation at various areas, including Sabarmati riverfront.
The report suggested the forming of a joint task force comprising “officers from AMC, GPCB, Torrent Power, police personnel and a judicial officer (retired) or such member as may be recommended by the court.”
The task force would be responsible for carrying out proper inspection and sealing of units that are releasing/discharging wastewater into sewer lines in the industrial areas.
“Any inspection to be carried out will be planned by the concerned judicial officer (retired) or by such a member as may be recommended by this court with 24 hours intimation to the police and six hours intimation to AMC and GPCB.
In the event of any industrial set-up found flouting the norms, then such a unit should be sealed and its electric connection be disconnected.
This inspection should be carried out irrespective of the caste and creed of persons running such industrial units or set-ups,” the report stated.
During the visit, Shah found a high concentration of algae at Sabarmati riverfront. It said he “went around the entire Sabarmati riverfront and found that the water contains high concentrations of green algae.
There were numerous storm water drains. The drains had high concentrations of algae present at the mouth. A river is supposed to flow. Since Sabarmati is not a perennial river, the flow of water downstream is stopped at Vasna barrage.
Due to this, the water has a high concentration of algae.” Observing that agriculture activities are being conducted by a cooperative society, the report suggested sealing its pumps and disconnecting its power.
“The Miroli Piyat Sahkari Mandali Limited is a co-operative society and it officially draws this sewage cum industrial effluent mixed water to irrigate its field to grow crops.
According to the Mandali, agricultural land where they grow food grains and vegetables is irrigated using sewage water cum industrial effluent mixed water because it contains higher concentration of fertiliser and gives them more yield and in turn brings them money,” the report stated.