National Green Tribunal Issues Urgent Notice to Odisha Government on Cuttack Canal Cleanup Delay |
Cuttack: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to govt authorities over the non-implementation of its 2022 order regarding the cleanup of Petanala, a heavily polluted water channel in Cuttack.
The notices came in response to a petition filed by Cuttack resident Rabeya Tabassum, who alleged that renovation work on the 3.6-km canal, which flows from Sector 10 to Sector 1 in the Bidanasi Project area, has been stalled since last June.
According to the petition presented by advocate Afraaz Suhail, only 600m of side walls have been constructed, with minimal dredging work completed. The Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) is yet to complete connecting the drainage system to the sewage treatment plant near Ashwini Hospital, allowing untreated sewage to continue flowing into the channel.
The Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) has been accused of using the canal for disposing of untreated sewage waste, leading to severe environmental pollution. The water body, choked with water hyacinths, has become a major breeding ground for mosquitoes, contributing to increased cases of malaria and dengue in the area.
The NGT’s east zone bench in Kolkata had previously ordered state authorities to complete the renovation work and connect all drainage systems to the Sewage Treatment Plant by July 2024. The petition also highlighted that the Cuttack Municipal Corporation and water resources department have not initiated the planned beautification, landscaping, and bridge construction projects.
The two-judge bench, comprising judicial member B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel, noted that the ‘matter requires consideration’ during the November 8 hearing. The case will be heard next on December 24, with state authorities directed to submit their responses to the allegations by then.
The notices came in response to a petition filed by Cuttack resident Rabeya Tabassum, who alleged that renovation work on the 3.6-km canal, which flows from Sector 10 to Sector 1 in the Bidanasi Project area, has been stalled since last June.
According to the petition presented by advocate Afraaz Suhail, only 600m of side walls have been constructed, with minimal dredging work completed. The Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) is yet to complete connecting the drainage system to the sewage treatment plant near Ashwini Hospital, allowing untreated sewage to continue flowing into the channel.
The Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) has been accused of using the canal for disposing of untreated sewage waste, leading to severe environmental pollution. The water body, choked with water hyacinths, has become a major breeding ground for mosquitoes, contributing to increased cases of malaria and dengue in the area.
The NGT’s east zone bench in Kolkata had previously ordered state authorities to complete the renovation work and connect all drainage systems to the Sewage Treatment Plant by July 2024. The petition also highlighted that the Cuttack Municipal Corporation and water resources department have not initiated the planned beautification, landscaping, and bridge construction projects.
The two-judge bench, comprising judicial member B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel, noted that the ‘matter requires consideration’ during the November 8 hearing. The case will be heard next on December 24, with state authorities directed to submit their responses to the allegations by then.
