HC directs State govt. to come up with comprehensive action plan to save the Vaigai

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday directed the State government to come up with a comprehensive action plan for rejuvenation of the Vaigai. The court directed that the causes of pollution should be identified and solutions found.

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday directed the State government to come up with a comprehensive action plan for rejuvenation of the Vaigai. The court directed that the causes of pollution should be identified and solutions found.

A Division Bench of Justices G.R. Swaminathan and B. Pugalendhi was hearing a batch of petitions, including a suo motu petition initiated expressing concern over the pollution of the Vaigai. The court observed that considering the gravity of the issue and directions passed by the court in the past, the State government should come up with a report not only identifying the causes of pollution but also an action plan to deal with the problem. The court directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to file a report.

The court was informed that the Secretaries to departments of Water Resources, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Forest and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj were apprised of the issue.

Last week, the court had initiated suo motu proceedings, taking cognisance of news reports, on the pollution of the Vaigai and ordered notice to the District Collectors of Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga. The court had ordered notice to Madurai Corporation Commissioner, Regional Director of Municipal Administration, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Madurai Nature Cultural Foundation.

The news reports were based on the study carried out by the Foundation. The Registrar (Judicial) of the Madurai Bench said the court had taken cognisance of the news reports on contamination of and waste discharge into Vaigai river in Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts.

According to the study, water samples were collected from 36 different locations along the river. The test results were shocking and alarming. The study said the major contributor to the water pollution was unchecked domestic, industrial and medical waste.

A direction was sought to the authorities to prevent the discharge of waste into the river to protect it. The petition also sought a direction to the authorities to take appropriate action against those who polluted the river.