Oder of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News item published in "The Hindu" Authored by Ashok Kumar Titled "Overflowing sewage on National Highway-19 sparks safety concerns" dated 07/09/2020.

A factual and action taken report was filed by the District Magistrate, Faridabad and Haryana State Pollution Control Board with reference to the allegation that sewage from Seekri village in Faridabad district in Haryana is over flowing on to the service road and on the stretch of Delhi – Agra Highway.

Report filed by the HSPCB said that Block Development and Panchayat Office (BDPO), Ballabhgarh has said that till about last 3 years, water from village was being channelized through a naala alongside the National Highway. However, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) constructed the service road and that naala was broken. In place of said naala, a drain was constructed between National Highway and service road.

Further, the NHAI connected the drain with four underground pipes under the service road and water of village was being channelized. However, no new naala was constructed by the NHAI despite oral assurance. It has been further informed that due to waste and polythene in the drain/pipes, water got over flowed on mohalla road which reached to National Highway.

As a temporary measure, a kacchi drain has been made by the Gram Panchayat along the service road. Now, water of drain/pipe is not overflowing towards mohalla road and National Highway. This kacchi drain is being cleaned by the Gram Panchayat from time to time.

As a permanent measure, plan to construct pakka naala has been prepared by the Gram Panchayat. Demand of fund has been sent to the Special Secretary, Development & Panchayat Deptartment, Chandigarh.

The NGT directed that further remedial meaures are required to be taken, as it is clear from the HSPCB report that only adhoc arrangements are being made. The SPCB has been asked to take further steps in coordination with with other concerned authorities, including the Nagar Panchayat and Development Department and furnish a compliance report before December 11, 2020.