RIICO, JDA, JMC and Pollution Board under scanner

RIICO, JDA, JMC and State Pollution Control Board are to an extent responsible for the death of 22-year-old Ayush who was washed away with his car in the Kartarpura nullah on August 25. Had these four agencies performed their duties then Ayush would not have died, nor would it have taken so many days to locate his body. After a probe initiated into the incident by the district administration, it has written to the four concerned departments and asked them to take action and apprise about it.

It had taken seven days of intensified search at Kartarpura nullah after which Ayush’s body was found near Gurjar Ki Thadi, which is quite far off from the spot where the incident took place. The SDRF, civil defence force and district administration had to face a lot of difficulty during the rescue operation. Their boats had got stuck in the garbage and muck in the nullah during the search operation. Large scale resources had been deployed to clear the nullah.

These were the barriers in the rescue operation:

As per the report by the district administration, dirty water, chemicals, plastic waste and sewer water from the industrial units of Sudarshanpura and adjoining areas were the cause of the muck in the nullah, which was the biggest hindrance in the rescue operation.

Gross carelessness in the cleaning of the nullah combined with large scale encroachments were also major hindrances. There was no adequate space or road to enter the nullah at different points.

Why are the departments at fault

Jaipur Development Authority (JDA): There has been gross carelessness in the cleaning of nullahs over the last two three years. Had they been clean there would not have been muck. Who are the officials and workers responsible for this and what action has been taken against them? This information is sought.  

There is no wall, chain or pillars along the side of the nullah for security. This needs to be addressed on a priority.  

There is encroachment on both sides of the drift area of the nullah and there is no proper road or path to go towards it. Who are the officers responsible for this encroachment and what action has been initiated against them. It is also asked as to what action will be taken in future.  

RIICO: Why was dirty water, chemicals, plastic waste and sewer water from the industrial units allowed to flow into the nullah? Why no action was taken?

Why were pillars, walls and chains not put up along the edge of the nullah? What action will be taken in future so that such an incident does not take place again.

It is also instructed to take action against the factories in this matter.  

State Pollution Control Board : Dirty water, chemicals, plastic waste and sewer water is being poured into the nullahs of the city, why has the department not taken any action? Action to be taken against industrial units so that such incidents do not take place in future. Also the industrial units be prevented from flouting rules and dumping waste into the nullahs.   

Jaipur Municipal Corporation: Crores are spent on the cleaning of nullahs before monsoon, but neither are they cleaned nor are open sewer and manholes covered. An investigation should be initiated into this as to find out if the money was properly utilised.

Nullahs should be properly cleaned and strict action should be taken against people dumping waste into them.

Municipal corporation should make adequate security arrangements for the nullahs falling under its area.