Ghaziabad Development Authority has decided to set up a committee to investigate the allegation made.
Acting upon the complaint made by an environment activist for allegedly discharging of untreated Sewage Treatment Plant in Hindon River through a storm drain in Raj Nagar Extension, Ghaziabad Development Authority has decided to set up a committee to investigate the allegation made.
The committee would be headed by Santosh Kumar Rai, secretary of GDA, and would soon submit its finding to Kanchan Verma, GDA’s Vice Chairperson. However, the complainant is sceptical over action of the authority and demanded inclusion of 5 residents of Raj Nagar Extension area in the committee as well.
On July 18, Vikrant Sharma, the environment activist had recorded a video showing STP situated at Morti Village of Raj Nagar Extension discharging untreated sewage water to the storm water drain, which assimilates into Hindon River flowing at a distance of few hundred meters. Sharma had later filed a complaint regarding this on Integrated Grievances Redress System (IGRS) portal of UP government. He had also alleged that STP was not operational at the that time and City Spidey had reported this matter.
However, after the backlash, GDA has set up committee to investigate the allegation of discharging untreated water into Hindon River via a storm water drain.
Vikrant Sharma, the complainant has put forth names besides himself, Sanjeev Tyagi- municipal councillor of Raj Nagar Extension, Pradeep Tyagi- head of gram panchayat of Morti Village, and Gajendra Arya- president of Federation of Apartments Owner’s Associations of Raj Nagar Extension. But, he has left a choice of the fifth nomination to GDA. “They can choose whoever they want but the person should be from Raj Nagar Extension,” he said.
Giving rational behind his choice of people suggested to be included in the committee, Sharma said, “All of them represent the public of Raj Nagar extension. Pradeep Tyagi is a Sarpanch of Morti Village where the STP is situated. Sanjeev is our elected representative at Municipal Corporation while Arya heads a federation which has AOA members of many societies of this area. They are the voice of people of Raj nagar Extension and have experience of supervision as well. I feel they are perfect for this job,” he added.
While all the names he suggested to GDA are elected representatives of the people of Raj Nagar Extension, they lack technical knowledge to supervise the work of the GDA committee which involves intricacies of civil engineering and knowledge of environment laws. Responding to this Sharma said, “They might lack these things but they are included in the committee as they represent us. Also, their presence in the committee will build up a confidence among people as well”.
Meanwhile, CitySpidey contacted Santosh Kumar Rai for his version but he refused to comment, stating that the matter has not come to his knowledge yet.
