Telangana High Court refuses to accept PIL over Godavari pollution

The NGT, “which has comprehensive jurisdiction, will be able to address these issues covering several states through which the famous Godavari river flows,” the court said.

This severe pollution has reportedly affected aquatic life and is contaminating water used for drinking and other purposes downstream, affecting millions of people and “poses a serious threat to public health and environmental safety,” said petitioner Akula Sampath Kumar, a law student.

The court also noted that the report relied upon by the petitioner refers to industrial waste discharged by major industries in neighboring states.

After hearing the petitioner (the party in person), the bench noted “the jurisdiction of the National Green Tribunal, established under the NGT Act, 2010, to deal with substantive matters relating to the environment, including the enforcement of any legal right relating to the environment.” The court emphasized the court’s broad powers, noting that its jurisdiction includes the implementation of key legislation such as the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and the Environment Protection Act 1986.

When the petitioner’s lawyer claimed that the Constitutional Court had broader powers to enforce the right to life, the panel strongly rejected the request, saying: “However, we consider that this request is incorrect.” The court strongly upheld the NGT as the appropriate forum, stating that the court is “more qualified, more appropriate and can exercise jurisdiction.”