1. Allegation in this letter, which has been treated as an application, is that huge pollution has been caused in River Balad located in the Baddi industrial area in District Solan of Himachal Pradesh on account of leakage of Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in the area. The effluents are toxic in nature and have affected the aquatic environment of the area, which is an industrial belt.
2. If the allegations are true, the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board (HPPCB) ought to have taken appropriate action in discharge of its duties.
3. In view of above, we consider it appropriate to direct the HPPCB and the District Magistrate, Solan to furnish a joint report to this Tribunal after ascertaining the facts and taking appropriate legal action in accordance with law within one month from the date of receipt of copy of this order by e-mail at ngt.filing@gmail com. The HPPCB will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance of the order.
4. The Committee may also ascertain effectiveness of the CETP and steps, if any, required to remedy the situation.
5. A copy of this order be sent to HPPCB by e-mail for compliance.
6. Apart from sending a copy of the order directly to the HPPCB, a copy may also be sent through the Resident Commissioner, Himachal Pradesh, stationed at Delhi.
7. List for further consideration on 26.02.2019.