Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Dr. Kiran Ramdas Kamble & Others Vs State of Maharashtra dated 28/10/2020. The issue for consideration is remedial action against discharge of untreated sewage into the river Trimbakeshwar, district Nasik.

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in its report of December 26, 2019 said that pollution was being caused on account of failure of the Trimbakeshwar Municipal Council. Another report filed by the MPCB on October 27, 2020 informed the NGT that the existing sewage treatment plant (STP) having capacity of 1 MLD was not found in operation due to temporary electricity failure, however, no back up was provided for operation of STP. No flow meter was provided at the inlet of STP for ascertaining the incoming flow of sewage to STP for treatment and overflow from inlet sump of STP was observed, which was meeting directly to Godavari river. Trimbak Municipal Council is directly discharging sewage in the Godavari river through two other nallas - Neelganga nalla and Mhatarroad nalla. No in-situ treatment such as phytoremediation or bioremediation is provided on the said nallas, according to the MPCB report.

The NGT expressed its unhappiness at the unsatisfactory state of affairs, depicted in the MPCB report.

The NGT said that the Municipal Council has been repeatedly saying that they are "engaging some consultant for preparation of DPR with a view to justify continued violations of law." Also, the state PCB has been failing in its duty with regard to recovery compensation on 'polluter pay' principle and taking other coercive measures. There is also a failure of the state administration in fixing personal accountability of the law violators to the detriment of the citizens.

The NGT directed the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra to look into the matter and take remedial actions against the erring officers of the state and file an affidavit of compliance before February 23, 2021.