NewDelhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) said on Monday that.“Not a single drop of the Ganga has been cleaned so far.”
They said, “only wasting public money” in the name of the cleaning project.
The tribunal questioned the government agencies about how they were executing the Prime Minister’s ambitious ‘Namami Gange project’ and said it does not want the “drama” regarding complaints between the Centre and Uttar Pradesh to go on.
Over Rs, 2,000 crores have been allocated by the center under the “Namami Gange” program for the purpose of cleaning Ganga river.
Justice Swatanter Kumar head of NGT asked government agencies to work together for the cause, he said. “The Prime Minister has given you a goal, take it as a national project.”
“It is the fault of CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) and other government agencies who are not doing their job properly. Had you (authorities) done your job properly, you were not standing here (before the court)… You have done nothing. It is a waste of public money all you are doing… Everyone says they are doing a lot to clean Ganga but not a single drop of the river has been cleaned,” the bench said.
“We don’t need this drama to go on regarding complaints between Centre and the state (Uttar Pradesh). Tell us how you are going to execute Namami Gange project? The Prime Minister has given you a goal, take it as a national project,” the green panel said.
The tribunal said the 14 industrial units operating in Bijnor and Amroha districts on the banks of Ganga river to be ready to be shut down while asking them why they should not be closed.
“Everyone says they do not discharge polluted materials in the river. I am giving you four days to file your replies or I will shut all of you down straightaway. Stop cooking stories. Be ready for the consequences.
“All the industries, which are seriously polluting industries, based on the banks of Ganga, are present…Issue show cause notice(s) to all as to why they should not be directed to be shut down. Reply needed within one week,” the bench said.