Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Subhash Kushwaha, President, Machhali Palan Sahkari Samiti Maryadit Banouli Vs State of Madhya Pradesh dated 05/08/2020 against unscientific disposal of fly ash by M/s Gorbi Project in the coal mines of the NTPC, Vindhya Nagar, District Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh, affecting the fishing society of the inhabitants.

An action taken report was sought from the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) and the District Magistrate, Singrauli. The report filed by the MPPCB informed the Tribunal that M/s Gorbi Project at present was an abandoned coal mine of M/s Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) Singrauli. The mine was declared inoperative since July 1997.

At present the mine was filled with water that was acidic in nature having pH ranging from 2.1 to 2.9. The presence of acidic water in the mine was due to natural and geogenic reasons. The acidic water accumulated in the mine pit had been tested from time to time by MPPCB in the year of 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The water was highly acidic and not fit for any fish propagation.

The mine water quality was not fit to be used for the purpose of fish propagation as per the designated best use water quality criteria devised by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Hence no fishery could be propagated in the acidic water. It was also submitted that the mine was abandoned many years back, but no aquatic life in it had been noticed nor any locals were seen fishing in the water.

The NGT directed the NTPC that remedial action should be taken in consultation with CPCB to address the situation of acidic water accumulated in mine pits within three months.