NEWS ITEM TITLED ,,RESIDENTS BLAME METROWATER FOR POLLUTED LAKE; OFFICIALS CITE ENCROACHMENTS,, APPEARING IN THE TIMES OF INDIA DATED 28.05.2025 vs

1 Item No.

06 BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI (VACATION BENCH) Original Application No.

298/2025 In Re: News Item Titled “Residents blame Metrowater for polluted lake; officials cite encroachments” appearing in ‘The Times of India’ dated 28.05.2025 Date of hearing: 05.06.2025 CORAM: HON’BLE MR.

JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR TYAGI, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON’BLE DR.

A.

SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER Applicant: Suo motu.

Respondents: None for the respondents.

ORDER 1.

This original application is registered suo-motu based on the news item titled “Residents blame Metrowater for polluted lake; officials cite encroachments” appearing in ‘The Times of India’ dated 28.05.2025.

2.

The news item relates to a polluted lake near Perumal Koil Street off the Velachery 100-feet road in Chennai, which has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and is now covered in algae, sewage, and filth.

The article mentions that people in the 50-odd houses and nearby areas are living with the stench.

Residents blame the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Metrowater) for the lake's deteriorated state.

According to the article, residents say that unplugged sewage pipelines laid inside the waterbody are the cause of the stench.

It also mentions that a corporation worker, while engaged in garbage clearing, confirmed the presence of four pipes discharging sewage directly into the lake.

3.

The above matter sems to attract the provisions of Environment 2 (Protection) Act, 1986, the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

4.

The power of the Tribunal to take up the matter suo-motu has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs.

Ankita Sinha &Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.

5.

Hence, we implead the following as respondents in the matter: i. matter: i.

Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Through its managing Director, 1, Pumping Station Road, Chintadripet, Chennai – 600 002, Tamil Nadu, India, Phone: 044 28459000, Email: [email protected]. ii.

Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Through its Member Secretary, 76, Mount Salai, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032, Phone: 044-22353145.

Email: [email protected]. iii.

Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, Ripon Building, Poonamallee High Road, Chennai – 600 003, Tamil Nadu, India, Phone: 044-25381330, Email: [email protected]. iv.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Regional Office, Chennai, 1st and 2nd Floor, Handloom Export Promotion Council, 34, Cathedral Garden Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-34 Phone: 044-28222325 Email [email protected].

6.

Let notices be issued to the respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit.

7.

Even though in the present case cognizance has been taken by this 3 Bench on the basis of above said news item with the approval and assignment under order of Hon’ble Chairperson, but in view of the facts and circumstances of the case including the fact that the place of accrual of cause of action lies within jurisdiction of the Southern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Chennai we are of the considered view that it will be appropriate if the case is further heard by the Southern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Chennai.

8.

Accordingly, the Registry is directed to list the matter before the Southern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Chennai on 07.08.2025 after obtaining orders from Hon’ble the Chairperson for transfer of the case, if so required.

9.

Replies/ responses may be filed by the respondents before the Southern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Chennai at least one week before the date of hearing fixed.

Arun Kumar Tyagi, JM Dr.

Senthil Vel, EM June 05th, 2025 Original Application No.

298/2025 AG