SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner and Meghalaya State Pollution Controlling Board (MSPCB) to file their latest status regarding action taken and quality of water in Umran river by February 4 next and that the latter shall continue to collect the samples periodically and to apprise the Court about the water quality.
The additional affidavit filed by the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, on November 29 reveals that a fresh inspection was conducted by the Extra Assistant Commissioner on October 24 and 25. In the context, it has been stated that those premises which have not yet constructed soak pits, have been asked to ensure that these are constructed so as to stop discharge of solid and liquid waste into Umran River to prevent its pollution.
Furthermore, steps have been taken to inform the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) in respect of (i) M/s Energy Station, (ii) M/s Umran Petrol Station and (iii) M/s Bharat Energy, Umran, for appropriate action; the inspection report submitted by the Superintendent of Police, Ri Bhoi District, to the Deputy Commissioner, annexed with the affidavit reveals that the latter has been requested to form a team for joint inspection of the identified locations so that a factual report on the matter could be submitted to the Government.
It was said that a team of five officers, which included the Superintendent of Police, conducted a joint inspection and came up with various findings regarding restaurants/shops/households and petrol pumps as mentioned in the report.
It was found that all restaurants, shops, households, petrol pumps located along the Umran are aware of the ill effect of discharging liquid waste into the river.
They are also aware that construction of soak pit is necessary for filtering the liquid waste before it is discharged into the river.
Besides, a few households, shops, restaurants are still constructing the soak pits but many others were yet to do it.
It was conveyed to those who have not that the District Monitoring Committee will inspect again within one month and by then they should have completed the construction of the soak pits. As for the solid waste, all restaurants, shops, households, petrol pumps are managing it through burning within own premises and during inspection the team had encouraged shops-cum-houses, which were not served notices, to construct soak pits which they agreed to do.
On the basis of the findings and suggestions, the District Magistrate had earlier directed all the shop owners/restaurant owners/ household owners and petrol pump owners to take necessary steps for construction of soak pits for filtering the liquid waste/grease etc. within their respective premises and to immediately stop discharging solid and liquid waste into the river. The approved design for construction of soak pits has been prepared for guidance and they have been directed to take steps to complete the construction by October 17 last. Subsequent thereto, inspection was conducted by the Extra Assistant Commissioner, Arms and Explosives.
The Court said that the additional affidavits filed by the Deputy Commissioner and MSPCB are suggestive of the fact that with all seriousness they have been pursuing the matter in the right direction and the Court expects the Deputy Commissioner to take stern action against those house owners/shop owners/petrol pump owners whose names and details have been mentioned in the inspection report.
It also said that the Deputy Commissioner shall take all necessary measures so as to ensure that the said persons adhere to the directions for construction of soak pits and also ensure some help is extended to them, if convenient and possible under the MGNREG Scheme. The matter will come for hearing on February 4 next year.
