HC Seeks Update From Odisha Govt On Brahmani River Pollution

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has sought a fresh update from the Odisha government on the steps being taken to tackle pollution in the Brahmani river and its tributaries.

The court issued an order in this regard when a petition registered suo motu by it in 2014 came up on for hearing Tuesday.

It had earlier sought reports from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Brahmani river pollution. After the submission of the report by the CPCB the Court on August 28, 2015, it directed the Chief Secretary to implement the recommendations made in the report, reports said.

On November 13, 2015, the Chief Secretary filed a compliance report in an affidavit stating that steps have been taken by the state government pursuant to the recommendations of the CPCB and State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).

The division bench of Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice Chittaranjan Dash said as more than seven years have elapsed since then, the court would like the state government to file a further affidavit stating whether the recommendations of the CPCB and SPCB are being still implemented.

The state government has been asked to state whether the water quality of the Brahmani river and its tributaries are at acceptable level.

Fixing November 16 for next hearing on the matter, the HC directed the state government to file the affidavit at least two weeks prior to the date.