Kumbh Mela Waste Dumping Allegation | NGT Disposes Plea By Ex-IPS Officer As UPPCB Assures To Look Into The Issue
Sparsh Upadhyay
11 July 2025 9:13 AM IST
The National Green Tribunal Principal Bench on Tuesday disposed of a plea filed by a former IPS officer [Amitabh Thakur], alleging that waste collected during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj was being dumped without processing at the Basawar waste site, about 10 km south of the city.
Noting that the plea lacked prima facie material, Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Exper Member Dr. A. Senthil Vel, disposed of the matter taking on record the assurance of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) that the issue would be duly looked into and if allegations are found true, appropriate remedial measures will be taken.
Appearing virtually, Thakur informed the Tribunal that his intent behind filing the Original Application was simply to intimate the Tribunal and it is for the Tribunal to consider it and, if required, take action.
The Tribunal observed that the application was not supported by reliable or cogent material, and it contained only two annexures [an excerpt from a BBC article and a set of photographs, with no geocoordinates]. It also noted that no copy of any complaint submitted to a statutory authority was annexed with the plea.
However, the Counsel for the UPPCB, who was present during the hearing, assured the Tribunal that the matter would be examined, and if the allegations were found to be correct, necessary remedial steps would be taken.
Taking note of the UPPCB's assurance, the Tribunal disposed of the petition.