Hyderabad: Stating that taking stringent action against polluters is the only solution to restoring the glory of the river Musi, the Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday directed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation not to spare anyone who discharges effluents into the river.
A division bench of Chief Justice Thottathil Bhaskaran Nair Radha-krishnan and Justice V. Ramasubramanian while dealing with a PIL directed that the GHMC should look into all sources domestic, industrial and other that are polluting the river and submit a report to the court within four weeks.
The bench also directed GHMC to explain in the report the steps it has taken to curb the pollution and the action being taken against polluters.
Expressing wonder at the apathy of the GHMC in taking action against the polluters of the river, the bench said that it would not tolerate this kind of negligence in this case.
B Rachana Reddy, counsel appearing for the petitioner said a holistic plan of action to clean up the Musi is required as the pollution levels have reached dangerous levels and people of the twin cities face severe health hazards.
She urged the court to direct the government to constitute a body with a mandate similar to the Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation, or any other such special purpose vehicle, for speedy cleaning of the river.
The bench said that effluents from nearby apartments, industries, hotels and other units are polluting the river. Saying that it is more concerned about cleaning of the river than its beautification, it directed the GHMC to immediately swing into action.
