Vadodara: Central Ministry of Jal Shakti has asked the Gujarat government (CS) Secretary to see complaints of violations of the Green Tribunal National Regulation (NGT) in connection with the recovery of the Vishwamitri River.
Missive from the ministry came in the context of complaints submitted by a group of residents led by environmental activists Rohit Prajapati against Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) to carry out “cleaning” activities on the command of the tribunal.
“Asked that the relevant authority can be asked to look into this problem and the applicant can be informed accordingly,” a letter from the Ministry to CS stated, added that it was related to competent authority approval.
Prahapati and other citizens concerned have made representations of all stakeholders stating that instead of implementing the court order, the Civic body carries out haphazard activities on the river that is truly destructive.
NGT in the order issued in May has issued direction for the Vishwamitri River Action Plan which includes the removal of the structure, demarcation, and protection of the floodland zone.
Previously, this month, the Gujarat pollution control board (GPCB) has also instructed VMC to implement NGT commands.
The Watchdog Pollution State has requested a Civic body to submit a time-bound action plan to recover the river in two weeks.