NGT raps UP Govt over chromium contamination, directs Chief Secy to act fast -OxBig News Network

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised concerns about the lack of concrete efforts by the Uttar Pradesh Government to address the ongoing water crisis affecting residents of Kanpur. 

The tribunal emphasised the need for remedial action as villagers continue to face severe hardships due to inadequate water supply and groundwater contamination caused by abandoned chromium waste.

The Tribunal directed the Uttar Pradesh Government to ensure appropriate remedial measures and minimum requisite supply of clean water to the residents of these villages to satisfy their daily need. 

A Bench, headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel, said despite previous directives issued over a month ago, authorities had failed to implement noticeable improvements.

NGT ordered the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to take adequate steps and extend all possible medical help to those who are suffering and proper steps are taken to ensure that chromium dumps do not spread and do not create any health issue to the residents there.

Furthermore, the NGT reiterated the need to prevent the further spread of hazardous chromium dumps and called for stricter accountability measures for factories found guilty of mishandling toxic chemicals.

In April NGT had instructed the state government to ensure supply of clean water to areas affected by chromium contamination.