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Judgment
This original application is registered suo motu on the basis of the news item titled “Change location of sewage treatment plant from Coimbatore’s Ukkadam, over 100 residents stage stir” appearing in ‘Express News Service’ dated 05.12.2023. The said news item refers to the grievance of the residents of Anbu Nagar in Ukkadam against the Sewage Treatment Plant and garbage collection and transportation facility in the location concerned. As per the said news report, sewage water treatment plant in the area is causing several health hazards in addition to the foul odor from the nearby dump yard which is making matter much worse. The children are affected by itching and other health ailments due to improper management of these facilities. There is a demand by the local residents to the civic body to shift these facilities which are making their life difficult.
The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance of the environmental norms and provisions of the Scheduled enactments.
The power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo motu has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.
Hence, in the circumstances of the case, we deem it proper to implead following as respondents in the matter:
i. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board through its Member Secretary.
ii. Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Coimbatore.
Ms. Purnima Krishna, Advocate and Mr. Najeeb Usman Khan, Advocate have accepted notice on behalf of the Respondents No. 1 and 2. Respondents are directed to file their replies before the concerned Bench of the Tribunal within four weeks.
Since the matter relates to the Southern Zone Bench, Chennai, therefore, the OA is transferred to the said bench for appropriate further action. Registry is directed to transfer the original record of this OA to Southern Zone Bench, Chennai.