NGT orders joint inspection at Tundurru Aqua Mega Park

Andhra Pradesh: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board to conduct joint inspection at Tundurru Aqua Mega Park situated at Bhimavaram in West Godawari District.

The villagers of Tundurru allege that ever since the inception of the park, their environment and health were being damaged. They staged protests and demanded to shift the park from their village. The foul smell and dangerous residues being released from the park were a cause of worry, the villagers claimed. Even Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan went to Tundurru in support of the villagers, but the then Telugu Desam government paid no heed to their concerns.

As a last resort, the local people filed a case in the NGT post which the NGT ordered the pollution boards of the Central and State governments to conduct a thorough inspection at the mega-park. It has asked both the boards to check whether the park is adhering to the prescribed rules. “If any irregularities are found, action should be initiated against the industry,” the NGT concluded.

The NGT has also asked the state government and National Coastal Regulatory Board to file their responses about the discharge of waste water. As per the guidelines, a pipeline should be laid to discharge waste water into the sea. The case has been postponed to September 23 for further hearing.