Foaming water from Kelavarapalli reservoir stiffened agricultural land along the Thenpennai River. | Photo Credit: File Photos
The southern bench of the National Court Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered the Karnataka government to submit an action plan within a month to check the release of untreated wastewater and industrial waste water into the Thenpennai River. This is waiting for the completion of new wastewater treatment plants (STP) scheduled for the end of December 2025.
The Directive came during the hearing of July 15 on the basis of the SUO MOT launched by a bench on the basis of reports. The bench expressed serious concern about the condition of the river, especially in the section flowing from Karnatak to Tamil Nadu, where foaming, blackened water and disgusting odor were reported.
In its order bench, which includes the pushpa Sathayana judiciary and expert members of Satyagopal Korlapati, she noted that untreated domestic waste and industrial waste from Benlandur and Varathur was discharged into the river.
The Karnataka report revealed that 531 industries are located in the river basin. It was found that 11 was in accordance with environmental rules. While plans for 10 new STPs with a capacity of 313 billion are taking place, only four have received administrative consent and none is functional yet.
Officials Tamil reported that when entering the state, the state is entering heavy pollution of the river. The tension, the growth of hyacinth and contamination of irrigation tanks near the KELAVAPALLI dam in Hosuru were quoted. Tamil urged Nadu on Karnataka to avoid the entry of untreated waste into the river and improve monitoring of pollution.
In June 2024, a central negotiating commission was formed, which was formed to resolve interstate water disputes, which were checked by polluted places and confirmed the presence of black, foam water and strong odors. The team also found that untreated waste water from the residential areas was dirty tanks and lakes around Bengalur.
The bench emphasized the urgency of measures for temporary control of pollution, especially when the monsoon approached Tamil Nadu, and warned that waiting when the STP was completed would worsen the situation. Karnataka’s legal advisor was looking for a month to respond.
The bench planned another hearing on August 21, 2025 and ordered the Karnataka government to report short -term measures to reduce the contamination of the Thenpennai River.
Published – July 19 2025 01:06 IS
