NGT appointed Joint Committee inspects Doodganga Nallah

Srinagar, November 09, 2021: The joint  Committee constituted by National Green Tribunal(NGT),  comprising of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad,  Deputy  Commissioner, Budgam, Shahbaz Mirza, Director Urban Local Bodies, Mathura Masoom and Regional Director, Pollution Control Committee Kashmir, Rafi Ahmad Bhat,  Monday undertook a visit to Barzulla area to  assess the water quality , quantity of sewage being discharged, solid waste being dumped on the banks of Doodganga river and to review the measures  being taken for its cleanliness  besides  identification of  the  factors contributing to pollution of this river  as per the directions of Hon’ble National Green Tribunal(NGT).

The inspection was carried in pursuance to the directions of National Green Tribunal(NGT) which, in a recent order in OA No.  241/2021,  constituted a five-member Committee for submission of a factual report to the  Tribunal in terms of taking remedial action for preventing discharge of sewage and dumping of solid waste on the banks of  Doodganga River  and Mamath Kull.

During the visit, the Committee directed the concerned officers to ensure cleaning and maintenance of the banks of Doodhganga which is the source of irrigation as well as drinking water for a huge chunk of population of Srinagar and Budgam

The Committee also stressed upon the concerned field functionaries to sensitize people living near the banks of the  Doodganga about the fragility of the environment and ill effects of polluting it, besides declaring the banks of the Nallah Dhoodganga and the adjoining areas as ‘No Litter Zone’.

The Committee asked the SMC authorities to undertake a massive cleanliness drive in and along the Nallah Doodganga within District Srinagar and ensure effective door to door collection of waste along the Water Body and also take all required measures to prevent dumping of solid waste in it. The committee also asked Municipal Committee Chadoora to clear legacy waste and prevent any further dumping of waste on the Banks of water body.

The Committee also discussed the need of a comprehensive action plan including establishment of STPs of adequate capacity to prevent direct discharge of untreated Sewage into Doodhganga  river.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Srinagar, Tehsildar Headquarter, Srinagar, senior Scientist of PCC Kashmir accompanied the members of the Committee during the visit.