Vadodara: Reminiscing of Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) that the issue of river rejuvenation has been discussed at length by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has asked to submit it Vishwamitri Rejuvenation action plan within a fortnight.
Sources said that by writing a letter to the Executive Engineer of the Futuristic Planning Cell of VMC, the state pollution monitoring body has sought the status of a time bound action plan for the restoration of Vishwamitri river.
“The issue of rejuvenation of pollution of stretches of river has been extensively considered by the Tribunal (NGT). The Tribunal has directed the constitution of a River Rejuvenation Committee in each State/Union Territory for restoration of each such An action plan can be prepared and actuated.Polluted clauses to give effect to the rule of law in a time bound manner, the letter from GPCB said.
The action plans have been prepared and approved by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and their execution is to be monitored by a Central Monitoring Committee headed by the Chief Secretary in the State and Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti at the national level, the letter said.
“With reference to the above subject and context, you were requested to submit the progress report in compliance with the order of NGT with respect to Vishwamitri River Action Plan within 15 days, but the same has not been received till now by this office. Therefore, You are again requested to submit the same within 15 days. 15 days,” the letter further stated.
It is worth noting that in May last year, the NGT had ordered demarcation of the entire flood plain of the Vishwamitri river passing through the heart of Vadodara.
The tribunal had also ordered removal of unauthorized, illegal structures and to maintain and restore the integrity of the river.
The principal bench of the NGT headed by Chairperson Justice (Retd) Adarsh Kumar Goel had observed that the Vishwamitri river is one of the 351 polluted river stretches identified by the CPCB.
The tribunal had ordered that the proceedings be completed within three months.
The tribunal had passed the order on the basis of a petition filed by a group of concerned citizens led by environmental activist Rohit Prajapati,
Sources said that by writing a letter to the Executive Engineer of the Futuristic Planning Cell of VMC, the state pollution monitoring body has sought the status of a time bound action plan for the restoration of Vishwamitri river.
“The issue of rejuvenation of pollution of stretches of river has been extensively considered by the Tribunal (NGT). The Tribunal has directed the constitution of a River Rejuvenation Committee in each State/Union Territory for restoration of each such An action plan can be prepared and actuated.Polluted clauses to give effect to the rule of law in a time bound manner, the letter from GPCB said.
The action plans have been prepared and approved by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and their execution is to be monitored by a Central Monitoring Committee headed by the Chief Secretary in the State and Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti at the national level, the letter said.
“With reference to the above subject and context, you were requested to submit the progress report in compliance with the order of NGT with respect to Vishwamitri River Action Plan within 15 days, but the same has not been received till now by this office. Therefore, You are again requested to submit the same within 15 days. 15 days,” the letter further stated.
It is worth noting that in May last year, the NGT had ordered demarcation of the entire flood plain of the Vishwamitri river passing through the heart of Vadodara.
The tribunal had also ordered removal of unauthorized, illegal structures and to maintain and restore the integrity of the river.
The principal bench of the NGT headed by Chairperson Justice (Retd) Adarsh Kumar Goel had observed that the Vishwamitri river is one of the 351 polluted river stretches identified by the CPCB.
The tribunal had ordered that the proceedings be completed within three months.
The tribunal had passed the order on the basis of a petition filed by a group of concerned citizens led by environmental activist Rohit Prajapati,