The Western Bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to review the environmental damages compensation (EDC) calculated at ₹38.40 crore to be levied on the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) in the Panchganga River pollution issue.
The municipal corporation has raised an objection to the decision taken by NGT in its November 3 hearing stating that the amount is already calculated in an earlier penalty levied by the environmental watchdog in the case registered in 2018, and two compensations cannot be imposed for the same period.
In the hearing held in August 2024, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board submitted an affidavit stating that Kolhapur Municipal Corporation was required to pay ₹38.40 crore as EDC with the amount reached in three parts mainly for discharging untreated sewage water in nullahs and for delay in setting up sewage treatment plants (STPs).
Following objection by KMC over the compensation amount, the tribunal directed the civic body to conduct a self-assessment of the EDC.
Dahisar, Mithi, Oshiwara, and Poisar are Mumbai’s four rivers, which flow into the Arabian Sea through the Malad, Mahim, Marve, and Thane creeks, respectively.
We refer to the city’s water bodies as nullahs (drains), which is an indicator of our casual attitude towards their environmental degradation. As a citizens forum, we hope to see that all the four rivers of Mumbai are cleared of encroachments and the water will be pure once again. God bless India!
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