Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Subhas Datta Vs State of West Bengal & Others dated 20/02/2024.

The allegation of the applicant in the application is that at the Shibpur side of Howrah at Topiwala Ghat laundry waste of clothes and linen of the Railways is being discharged into the river Hooghly and fumes are coming out from the outlet point of such laundry. It is further alleged that the reputed and historic ghats of the city, namely, Rani Rashmoni Ghat, Mullick Ghat, Bagbazar Ghat, Shovabazar Ghat, Kashimitra Ghat and Nimtala Ghat are littered with garbage. The next allegation is with regard to discharge of waste collected from goldsmith shops and discharge of contaminated water containing acid into the river of several small scale industries at Shibpur Bichali Ghat into Ganga on Howrah side. It is also alleged that huge concrete pillars have been erected in the river Ganga at the second Hooghly Bridge towards the Shibpur side which is obstructing the smooth flow of the river.

The NGT said that the matter required consideration and directed notices to be issued to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Howrah Municipal Corporation and District Magistrate, Howrah.

The NGT also directed the constitution of a six member committee comprising among others senior scientists from West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control Board and National Mission for Clean Ganga Authority. The committee shall visit the site in question and after inspection submit its report within two months.