SMDA asked to submit report within fortnight
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Apr 10: Taking cognizance of the alleged failure of the authorities to improve water quality of Devika in Purmandal, the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Board has asked the Chief Executive Officer, Surinsar Mansar Development Authority (SMDA) to submit a report with regard to the measures taken on its earlier direction to stop discharge of untreated sewerage into the holy river.
Maintaining that water quality at Purmandal is not up to the mark because of discharge of untreated sewerage into the water body, the Board has sought submission of the action taken report within a fortnight by the SMDA, which has its jurisdiction over Purmandal-Uttarvahini shrines and adjoining villages also for their development.
“Verification carried out by the Board shows that the water quality at Purmandal is that of Class-B and colour and odour of the water is not up to the mark, which is mainly due to discharge of untreated sewerage into the water body,” reads the PCB communication in this regard, adding: “Before taking any further action in the matter, you (CEO) are called upon to indicate the measures taken to stop discharge of untreated sewerage into river Devika and submit your report within a fortnight positively.”
It may be recalled that the J&K Pollution Control Board had last year analyzed the water quality of Devika river at Purmandal and found that the same was deteriorating at an alarming rate because of varied reasons such as direct discharge of wastes from nearby establishments, encroachment of river, cremations at undesignated locations within the river bed particularly in front of gate of main temple and extraction of minor minerals etc.
Thereafter, the Board, vide its office communication number SPCB/PS/MS/2019/158/ 1315-20, dated 26-04-2019 had advised the Deputy Commissioner Samba to direct the concerned departments to take necessary preventive action to restore the water quality of River Devika at Purmandal up to the level of `Designated Best Use’ parameters within a period of 30 days, failing which action was warned against the defaulters under the relevant Sections of Environment Protection Act 1986 and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974.
In addition to this, the State Council of National Green Tribunal had also taken suo-moto cognizance of the Daily Excelsior editorial in this regard, published in its May 1, 2019 edition, and called for status report from DC Samba on the implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules in Purmandal.
After PCB, the Jammu and Kashmir State Water Resources Regulatory Authority (SWRRA) had also conducted on spot assessment of holy Devika river at Purmandal and after seeing the dilapidated condition of the water body as well as the state of other amenities, did issue directions for appropriate corrective measures on immediate basis.
However, no concrete action for clean Devika River was taken on ground till date, except the paper work and hence the matter was again brought into the notice of Pollution Control Board by prominent citizens and social workers of Purmandal who complained of failure of the concerned authorities to improve the water quality coupled with failure to implement Solid Waste Management rules in District Samba.
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