The Gujarat High Court has once again expressed its dissatisfaction with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) over its perceived inaction in tackling pollution in the Sabarmati River. During a hearing on a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL), the bench, headed by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Vaibhavi Nanavati, voiced strong disapproval of the municipal commissioner’s approach and progress.
The AMC’s counsel presented claims of a 6-7% increase in the capacity of sewage treatment plants (STPs) following the court’s earlier directives. However, this incremental improvement did not impress the bench. Chief Justice Agarwal remarked, “We cannot give you any appreciation for this,” highlighting the court’s frustration with the slow pace of development.
The judges expressed that the affidavits submitted by the AMC were unconvincing and incomplete. The court’s dissatisfaction was evident, with Chief Justice Agarwal stating, “The commissioner is not giving us the complete picture, so we are not happy with his work. We are completely unhappy with his approach in answering the court.”
Amicus curiae Hemang Shah underscored the lack of improvement in the water quality of the Sabarmati River. In response, Chief Justice Agarwal said, “We are banging our heads against a wall, it seems so. If this continues, we may lose our patience and write everything in our order.” The bench further criticised the AMC for appearing to act only in the lead-up to court hearings. The Chief Justice pointed out that tenders were issued and actions initiated only shortly before the hearing dates, undermining the sincerity of the AMC’s efforts.
The court’s reprimand extended to the AMC’s failure to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for a task force set up to identify illegal industrial drainage connections. Chief Justice Agarwal highlighted the delay, saying, “You take a month to prepare the SOP. For one whole month, contaminated water goes into the river. Do you understand its impact? Its consequences? You are in contempt. We are not negotiating with you. Don’t try to negotiate with us.”
The bench concluded by stating that the AMC has shown a lack of commitment and dedication to addressing the pollution in the Sabarmati River. “You have never shown any commitment towards this work. You were never devoted to this. This is your last priority…Now we are not leaving anything to you,” the court declared, indicating that it would intensify its oversight of the AMC’s activities.
The Gujarat High Court’s stern stance signals a heightened level of scrutiny on the AMC’s efforts, or lack thereof, in curbing pollution. The court’s intervention underscores the urgent need for effective and sustained action to protect the Sabarmati River from further environmental degradation.
