National Green Tribunal
Dr.M.S. Tejashwari vs The Union Of India Rep By Its Secretary ... on 1 July, 2025
Author: Satyagopal Korlapati
Bench: Satyagopal Korlapati
Item No.09:
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
[Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]
Original Application No.97 of 2022(SZ)
IN THE MATTER OF:
Dr. M. S. Tejashwari,
Telangana.
...Applicant(s)
Versus
The Union of India,
Rep. by its Secretary,
Ministry of Defence,
New Delhi and Ors.
...Respondent(s)
Date of hearing: 01.07.2025.
CORAM:
HON'BLE SMT. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE Dr. SATYAGOPAL KORLAPATI, EXPERT MEMBER
For Applicant(s): Mr. K.S. Viswanathan, Sr. Adv. a/w.
Mrs. T. Hemalatha.
For Respondent(s): Mr. K. Rama Koteswara Rao for R2.
Ms. Lavanya represented
Mr. T. Sai Krishnan for R3.
Mrs. H. Yasmeen Ali for R6.
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ORDER
1. The report dated 30.06.2025 of the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) is filed.
2. The matter pertains to a land measuring Acres 3.11 Guntas, wherein sewage from the Secunderabad Cantonment Board was being discharged, which also entered into an open well located on the said land.
3. Pursuant to the intervention of this Tribunal, the sewage outside the well has been removed. However, sewage remains stagnant within the well, which is stated to be approximately 120 feet deep.
4. The learned counsel appearing for the TGPCB submits that while the previously accumulated sewage has been removed, due to recent rainfall, the well is currently filled with water.
5. As regards the water analysis conducted by the TGPCB after the removal of the sludge, it appears that coliform is still present in the water. However, it is observed that the sample collection was not carried out in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
6. The learned counsel appearing for the applicant further contends that he was not present at the time when the water samples were collected for analysis.
27. In the meanwhile, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board through the TGPCB had requested the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) for taking up the assessment of the cost of remediation of the land due to the collection of sewage in the applicant's premises. For conducting an assessment of the impact of contamination on soil quality, the nearby open well, and to evaluate the extent of land degradation and water pollution, the NEERI has quoted an amount of Rs.19.2 lakhs plus GST.
8. However, when the matter was escalated to the Secunderabad Cantonment Board by the TGPCB, the Cantonment Board had noted that the amount quoted by the NEERI appears to be higher side and decided to explore the possibility of alternative options by inviting quotations from the Government Institutions like (i) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)- Hyderabad, (ii) Environmental Protection Training & Research Institute (EPTRI), (iii) National Institute of Technology (NIT)- Warangal, (iv) Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) - Hyderabad and (v) Engineering Staff College of India (ESCI). In this regard, the NIT-Warangal and ESCI had submitted their quotation amounting to Rs.11.80 Lakhs and Rs.15.00 Lakhs respectively.
9. Since the proposed study pertains to the assessment of the cost of remediation, it is for the Secunderabad Cantonment Board and the TGPCB to take an appropriate decision and engage a suitable expert agency for the same.
310. However, the applicant shall be afforded an opportunity to remain present at the time of conducting any soil analysis or related study. It is also made clear that all sample analyses must be carried out strictly in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
11. We reiterate our direction to the TGPCB to collect surface water of the well and water samples from bottom of the well in the presence of the applicant, and to ensure that the analysis is conducted in compliance with the prescribed standards and procedures.
12. Post the matter on 22.08.2025.
Sd/-
Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM Sd/-
Dr. Satyagopal Korlapati, EM O.A. No. 97/2022(SZ) 01st July, 2025.AD.
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