Sabarmati River Pollution: Gujarat High Court Expresses Shock, Says State & Citizens Duty Bound To Preserve Environment & Balance Interests

Background

Basis a news report in August 2021 in the 'Ahmedabad Mirror', the Gujarat High Court took suo motu cognizance of excessive pollution in the Sabarmati River owing to a Sewage Treatment Plant ('STP') flouting the treatment norms and releasing untreated water into the river.

Accordingly, the High Court had appointed an Amicus Curiae who informed the Court that even walking around the embankment was an onerous task owing to the foul smell emanating from illegal discharge.

Pursuant to this, the Court directed full examination of the plant. Subsequently, the Court constituted a Joint Task Force in 2021 and directions were issued to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to furnish correct details about the volume and parameters stipulated by the NGT for every STP in the Ahmedabad District. The Task Force also termed the stretch of 120kms in the Sabarmati River as "dead", "highly polluted/contaminated" and indicated that the Gujarat Pollution Control Board should initiate criminal prosecution against all owners of the polluting industries.

Observations of the Court

The High Court has now reiterated that any person coming in the way of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation ('AMC') or the GPCB would face strict action in accordance with law. It cautioned industries to cooperate in controlling effluent discharge.

The Bench noted that the AMC had laid down a storm-water drain for smooth disposal of rain water that accumulated on the roads and elsewhere. However, the hundreds of buildings, societies and schools had been accumulating this water which was untreated and not released through any Sewage Treatment Plant ('STP'). This was also directly flowing into the Sabarmati riverbed and contaminating the water. The Amicus has now submitted that all three outlets of storm water drain behind a school and other buildings ought to be sealed.

The High Court also raised questions as to why the AMC had not made a drainage construction in these societies and residential units. Justice Pardiwala also identified that the PIL had displeased quite a few sections of societies. However, averring that this displeasure should not deter the State Government, the AMC or GPCB from fulfilling their obligations under Art 51A of the Constitution, the Court referred to the Dr.T.Patanjali Sastry, President, Environment Centre, Rajahmudry vs. Chairman, Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board [2001 SCC OnLine AP 647]. Herein it was held:

"In the context of rapid globalization and the imminent threat it posed to environment, ecology vis-à-vis the rights of the citizens to have pollution free environment, the right to water, etc., recognized by the Apex Court under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the duty of the Government to protect the lakes has assumed much more importance. It is now well settled principle of law that directive Principles of State Policy under Part IV of the Constitution are enforceable under Article 21 of the Constitution of India."

The Court then referred to celebrated cases in the field of environment and conservation such as the MC Mehta vs Union of India [(1987) 4 SCC 463], the Virendra Gaur vs State of Haryana [(1995) 2 SCC 577] and more to conclude that the State and citizens had a tremendous responsibility via the Directive Principles and the Fundamental Duties to preserve the environment and secure a life of dignity and good health under Article 21 to all citizens.

In the same vein, the Bench ventured into the balance of interests between the right to trade and profession and public interest. It observed:

"The right of every citizen to pursue any lawful trade of business is obviously subject to such reasonable conditions as may be deemed by the governing authority of the country essential to the safety, health, peace, order and morals of the community."

Thereafter, the High Court directed the following:

1. The AMC should block all three outlets in residential societies which were releasing contaminated sewage water directly into the Sabarmati River.
2. The AMC should undertake an extensive survey of all residential societies, buildings and units in the relevant area which did not have any valid drainage connections.
3. The AMC should also place on record its plans for addressing the drainage issue in such societies.
4. The AMC should also bring some action plan by which it can avoid discharging some quantity of sewage directly into the river without treating it into the STP.
5. Further, the AMC and GPCB were urged to intensify their drive in identifying industrial connections into the sewer.
6. GPCB was directed to impress upon the engineering industries to prepare a report as regards the 7 central effluent treatment plants and furnish the report and undertaking necessary repairs.

The matter will now be heard on 25 February.

Case Title: SUO MOTU Versus AHMEDABAD MUNICIPAL CORPORATION THROUGH THE MUNICIPAL COMMISSIONER, AHMEDABAD & 3 other(s)

Case No.: C/WPPIL/98/2021

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