NGT bins plea alleging encroachment of river

Cuttack: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has dismissed a case alleging encroachment on the Prachi river by a model bus stand at Kakatpur in Puri district.
NGT’s Delhi bench after receiving a letter petition had ordered a probe to ascertain the veracity of the allegation on Feb 16 and transferred the case to its east zone bench in Kolkata.
Dr Laxmidhar Biswal, a resident of Astaranga area, filed the letter petition alleging that the encroachment had caused irreparable loss to the river.
The joint committee consisting of representatives of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), member secretary of OSPCB and district magistrate (Puri) conducted the inquiry and submitted the report on July 18.
After perusal of the report, the bench said, “We find that there is no encroachment on Prachi river nor any adverse impact on it due to construction of the model bus stand at Kakatpur. The case lacks of merit and is accordingly dismissed.” tnn