NGT initiates suo motu case on water contamination in Greater Noida flats

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of a news report highlighting the contamination of drinking water in Greater Noida's Supertech Ecovillage 2 housing society.

A coram of Chairperson, Justice Prakash Shrivastava, judicial member, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, and expert members Dr. A Senthil Vel and Dr. Afroz Ahmad determined that the matter indicated a violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Environment Protection Act.

The news article, published in The Indian Express on September 13, 2024, reported that the water supply contained traces of E.coli bacteria and bleaching powder, leading to over 300 residents, including 170 children, falling ill. The residents suffered from symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and fever.

The news item noted that the presence of E.coli in drinking water posed significant health risks, including gastrointestinal infections, diarrhea, and more severe health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.

It added that the contamination could be due to various reasons including not flushing the water tank properly. It is also claimed that the Greater Noida Authority supplies water up to the reservoir of group housing societies, but that the internal distribution is managed by the builder or the Apartment Owners Association (AOA).

The NGT determined that the news item raised a substantial issue relating to compliance with provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Environment Protection Act.

Therefore, it issued notices to the Greater Noida authority, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the District Magistrate in Noida.

The NGT has directed all these respondents to file their replies in the form of affidavits at least one week before the next hearing scheduled for January 28, 2025.

[Read Order]