NGT asks 100 industrial units in Maharashtra to pay ₹186 crore compensation for water pollution; raps ED, MPCB

The amount shall be utilised for the restoration of environment and healthcare activities of people in the area under the guidance and supervision of a committee, it said

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered around 100 industrial units in Tarapur MIDC area of Maharashtra’s Palghar district to collectively pay around ₹186 crore as environmental compensation for polluting water bodies in the region by releasing untreated effluents into them.

In the order passed on January 24, the tribunal also pulled up the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for failing to take action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against the industrial units despite offences like releasing untreated pollutants into water bodies, and said this “inaction” has encouraged them to continue with the violations “with impunity”. It said the ED was taking action under the PMLA in a “narrow sphere” although the scope of the law was widened in 2013 after amendments.

Criticising the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) officials for their “extremely negligent and lax approach, careless attitude, non bona fide conduct and lack of devotion to duty”, the tribunal also said that the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has contributed in causing pollution “by failing to ensure its functions of maintenance of pipelines, non clearance of sludge in a regular manner”.