HC satisfied with turbidity maintenance of river Umran

A Correspondent

Shillong, June 30: The Meghalaya High Court on Friday was satisfied with the steps taken by the Meghalaya government with regards to maintenance of the turbidity level of Umran river in Ri-Bhoi district.

During the hearing on Friday, the state’s Chief Secretary, Y Tsering filed an affidavit stating that various steps have been taken so as to maintain the desired limits of drinking water in the river.

The Chief Secretary also informed the court that a meeting has been convened with various officers and the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi district has already taken follow up action as per the direction of the court.

“We are satisfied the way the Chief Secretary has quickly responded; therefore, we are persuaded to grant four weeks’ time for filing the latest status,” the division bench of the High Court said.

It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya High Court had directed the state authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure that the water at Umran River is fit for human consumption.

The order came following a report submitted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board on February 23. The MSPCB in its report had stated that as per the results of the tests and analysis at/from locations No 3 and No 4, the turbidity of the water flowing from upstream and downstream of the Umran river, flowing behind the boundary of the BPCL petrol pump, Umran Diary, Ri Bhoi, require treatment by the concerned authorities in such a manner that the turbidity level is maintained within the desired limit of drinking water standard to be rendered fit for human consumption.

The High Court had taken up a PIL which was filed by the Joint Action Committee of Social Organization, Umran Diary, Ri Bhoi District against the setting up of a retail outlet (petrol pump) on side of the river Umran by the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).