Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Times of India
The Times of India
National
lalmohan.patnaik | TNN

NGT disposes of case on water body's diversion in Angul

CUTTACK: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has disposed of the case on diversion of Kurdabahali nullah (water channel) by Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) in Angul district, after the state authorities submitted an affidavit on compliance of NGT's directions.

After an expert committee constituted by the NGT reported on November 26, 2021, that by diverting the nullah's course, the JSPL had created a nearly 3.7 km alternate channel for free flow of water into the Parang minor irrigation project, the tribunal endorsed it. However, the NGT had issued a slew of orders to supplement the diversion.

Taking note of the affidavit, the bench of Justice B Amit Sthalekar (judicial member) and Saibal Dasgupta (expert member) on Thursday said, "Nothing further remains for adjudication. The directions of this tribunal have been complied with."

The affidavit said that JSPL in pursuance of the tribunal's direction has deposited Rs 50 lakh to the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) for continuous monitoring of the water quality in Kurdabahali nullah as well as the Parang minor irrigation project. As directed by the NGT, JSPL had also deposited Rs 1.5 crore to the forest department for plantation, including fruit bearing trees, on the banks of the alternate channel and to maintain it.

The tribunal was also informed that JSPL is maintaining the diversion created in the nullah by cleaning it before the monsoon from its head point to where it empties into the irrigation project to allow free flow of water.

The divisional forest officer, Angul, said that a scheme, including plantation of fruit bearing trees on the sides of the alternate banks and creation of a biodiversity park in a small area to enhance green cover and biodiversity, has been prepared and approved. The regional officer, SPCB, said that it has been collecting and analysing the water samples from the inlet and outlet of the irrigation project from February 2022.

One Alekha Chandra Tripathy, a resident of Cuttack, had filed a complaint in 2017 alleging that JSPL had unauthorisedly blocked the Kurdabahali nullah and caused destruction of the surrounding environment and forest.

The joint committee constituted by the NGT to look into the matter reported that a portion of the nalla covering 3.8 km passes within the area acquired for the construction of an industry by JSPL and this has been covered with earth. Due to continuous waterlogging in the area and to allow free flow of water of the nalla into the irrigation project, the JSPL diverted the nullah by providing an alternate channel.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.