NGT takes suo motu cognisance of gaps in govt. action over chromium contamination of U.P. groundwater

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of a report by The Hindu on hexavalent chromium contamination of groundwater in Uttar Pradesh and gaps in the government’s efforts to resolve the issue.

Based on the article, the NGT has issued notices to 14 authorities including, the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, as per a recent order.

The NGT noted that the news item ‘Groundwater that glows yellow-green’ raises “substantial issues” relating to compliance with the environmental norms, as per the order.

“Issue notice to the above respondents for filing their response by way of affidavit before the Tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing,” an order dated October 5 read.

News in Frames | Toxic water runs deep

The Hindu report highlights how decades of industrial waste dumping have contaminated groundwater with hexavalent chromium across parts of three Uttar Pradesh districts, exposing villagers to unsafe water and serious health risks. Despite years of complaints and court intervention, the government’s efforts to identify contaminated areas, provide safe drinking water and healthcare, and clean up toxic waste has remained slow and inadequate.

Also, many villages or areas with contaminated bright yellow groundwater or chemical dumps are not even part of identified affected areas in submissions to the NGT, indicating that the actual problem could be even bigger.