Don't dump debris on Hindon river bed: Tribunal

Ghaziabad, April 22 (IANS) The National Green Tribunal has banned the dumping of debris and waste material on the Hindon river bed resulting in hindrance to the natural flow of water near the site of a new bridge over the river in Ghaziabad, a lawyer said Sunday.

The petitioners have alleged that the construction of an artificial embankment for the bridge was causing environmental damage by adversely affecting the normal flow of the river water.

"Considering the submissions made and the allegations levelled, we feel, in order to protect the biodiversity and pollution it would be just and proper to direct the authorities to prohibit dumping of any debris and waste materials on the river bed, thereby causing hindrance to the natural flow of water," the tribunal said in its order April 18.

"The respondents are directed to take necessary steps for complying with the aforesaid directions, in accordance with law. List the matter on May 22," the tribunal said.

Environmentalist and member of Jal Biradari Vikrant Sharma filed a petition in the Supreme Court that diverted the plea to the green tribunal.

The tribunal's order noted that Ghaziabad Development Authority's counsel Krishnanand, "fairly submits that all precautionary steps have been taken to prohibit dumping of mud and muck on the river bed but then in the course of construction of road some debris are pushed into the river bed".

The petitioners are opposing the construction of the proposed Karhera Bridge, the third over the Hindon, near a point where the river takes a curve.

The petition alleged that the proposal to build the bridge on an artificial embankment would stop the natural flow of river water and cause a flood in addition to environmental loss.

Sharma's counsel said he withdrew the petition from the apex court after the judges said that "the liberty is granted to the petitioners to move to the National Green Tribunal".

The petition said an Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-D) professor also opposed the construction of the bridge at the proposed point.

The IIT-D expert said that if the government was adamant on building the bridge then it should construct the structure on pillars, instead of the artificial embankment, leaving the river free to choose its own course.