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Judgment
This original application is registered on the basis of a news item published in the New Indian Express dated 14.09.2023 titled “Ramakkallake in TN polluted & emits foul smell, residents demand rejuvenation”. The news item discloses that the pollution level has arisen in the Ramakkal Lake with a foul smell causing distress to the nearby residents. The view expressed in the news item is that Ramakkal Lake is the most prosperous lake in the district but the water is extremely polluted with sewage water draining into the lake. The news item also discloses that a filtration unit has been set up but filter beds have not been functioning for the last eight months resulting in increased pollution level.
The Learned Counsel for CPCB has also informed that the filtration unit is not working as a result of which the pollution in the lake has increased.
Considering the grievance raised in the news item, we are of the view that substantial issue relating to the environment is involved, hence, at this stage, we deem it proper to constitute a joint committee comprising of the nominee of the Regional Director, CPCB; Member Secretary, State PCB; Director, State Development Authority and the concerned District Magistrate. The District Magistrate will act as a coordinating officer.
The joint committee will visit the site and ascertain the status of pollution in the Ramakkal Lake and will submit the action taken report before the next date by e-mail at [email protected] preferably in the form of searchable PDF/ OCR Support PDF and not in the form of Image PDF.
Let the action taken report be submitted before the concerned Bench of the Tribunal. Since, the matter relates to the Southern zone Bench of the Tribunal, therefore, it is transferred to the said Bench.
The original application is accordingly disposed of with a direction of re-registration at the Southern Zone Bench, Chennai.