Order of the National Green Tribunal (Central Zone Bench, Bhopal) in the matter of Balkrishna Yadav & Others Vs West Central Railways & Others dated 06/03/2024.

The matter in the application pertained to storm water drain located at ward no. 3 in Mangaj Zila of Damoh, which acts as the outlet for water flowing from ward no. 1, 2 and 3 altogether, in the said area before finally mixing in Kopra Nadi, Damoh. It was further alleged that West Central Railways is polluting the drain by disposing off sewage in the naala which hampers the free flow of water leading to flooding situation in the entire station area. The part of the drain located at ward no. 3 near station area is being covered with concrete and a boundary wall is being erected on the drain by West Central Railways as part of its operations under Amrit Bharat Station Yojana.  

That the area where the work is being carried out is a low lying area which gets waterlogged during the rainy season. The storm water drain is important to let off excess rain water to avoid flooding in the area. It is contended that if the wall is erected, it will cause obstruction to the flow of water. The water which passes through the drain will get clogged up the area with no passage to exit and hence the entire area will be inundated during rains. The entire stretch of shops and houses including the railway station itself would be filled with water and unhygienic conditions would prevail which would lead to breeding of mosquitoes and other insects and manifold diseases.

A three member committee was appointed by the NGT to look into the matter and directed to submit a factual and action taken report within six weeks.