NGT issues notice to Uttar Pradesh over complaints of open defecation at Kumbh Mela

The National Green Tribunal has issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government, Prayagraj Mela Authority and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board in response to claims that poor sanitation arrangements at the Kumbh Mela have resulted in open defecation along the banks of the Ganga river, Bar and Bench reported on Saturday.

A bench led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel had, on February 14, directed the authorities to respond a week before the next hearing – scheduled for Monday.

“The application alleges that lakhs of ordinary people and families are forced to defecate in open on the bank of the river Ganga for want of adequate facilities,” the notice from the tribunal said. “In support of the plea taken in the OA, the applicant has enclosed a pen drive containing the videos.”

The petitioner, Nipun Bhushan, filed an application seeking Rs 10 crore in environmental compensation from the Uttar Pradesh government, claiming that the state had failed to prevent pollution due to inadequate sanitation at the Kumbh Mela site.

Bhushan based his argument on the “polluter pays” principle, which holds that polluters must bear the cost of environmental damage they cause.

The application also accused the state of neglecting its duty under Article 48A of the Constitution,…

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