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NGT questions AMRUT sewage system over Lower Lake pollution
The National Green Tribunal on August 17 took suo motu cognisance of a media report that 28 drains are discharging untreated sewage into Bhopal's Lower Lake. The NGT formed a new committee…
The National Green Tribunal on August 17 took suo motu cognisance of a media report that 28 drains are discharging untreated sewage into Bhopal's Lower Lake. The NGT formed a new committee to inspect the lake and submit a report within six weeks, and issued notices to the state government, pollution control board, municipal corporation, wetland authority and district collector, seeking responses within four weeks.
Referring to an earlier joint committee report, the tribunal noted that 8-10 million litres of sewage enters the lake daily through the Banganga drain and others. During monsoon, sewer chambers overflow, allowing untreated sewage to flow into the lake. The NGT questioned the effectiveness of the sewage network laid under the AMRUT project, saying if it cannot prevent such overflow, it raises serious doubts about the entire system. The next hearing is on October 5.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The NGT has now formed its second committee on Lower Lake in recent months, suggesting earlier panels did not yield results. The lake, a lifeline for Bhopal's ecology and tourism, has no remaining freshwater source. The question is whether the state and municipal bodies can fix the sewer chambers and nullah discharges before the next monsoon, or face contempt proceedings. Watch for the committee's report due in six weeks and the state's response by October 5.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
