Pune: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has directed Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, to prepare an action plan for restoration of environment after violations were observed at Paithan MIDC in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and two development project sites in Aundh and Bibvewadi The board’s head office has sanctioned Rs 14.16 lakh for each of the site assessments and reports. This move came after the National Green Tribunal’s western bench directed that assessment be conducted of Paithan MIDC and the two project sites.
The tribunal was notified of the parameters, such as chloride, hardness, sulphate and conductivity, exceeding the drinking water standard at Paithan Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC)’s vicinity due to discharge of effluent from the industries located within. However, it was unable to identify the polluting industries. The concerned applicant claimed that due to the discharge, severe groundwater contamination leading to agricultural crop damage was observed.
The board on July 1 issued the work order for the institute to carry out groundwater contamination assessment and constitute a mitigation plan for the same. This includes a detailed survey of the area, a study of contamination over the last three decades, and a detailed assessment of groundwater contamination, including surface water, crop, and animal scat to check the level of contamination. “A short-term mitigation plan will also be constituted on the findings and is to be submitted to the board within 60 days,” read the order.
Meanwhile, the board also passed work orders to assess the environmental loss caused by constructions at developer project sites of Aundh and Bibvewadi, where it was found that both project proponents had not obtained prior environmental clearance from the state environment department for construction activities. The National Green Tribunal’s western bench also sought a report on the environmental damage at Aundh and Bibvewadi and an action plan for remediation from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. “In one of the cases, a total of Rs 25 lakh was recovered as environmental compensation for constructing without prior environmental clearance.
Since the board will not be able to conduct the study, we have appointed an agency for the same,” said a senior official of the board. The institute has been informed to conduct a site visit and survey for assessment of environmental loss with respect to all the possible environmental and ecological factors, assessment of the best possible activities for restoration of air, water, soil, noise, ecology, and waste environment and health. Finally, a restoration plan is to be drafted for all environmental and ecological factors.
The same is to be submitted within 60 days..
