NHRC orders Maharashtra to report on Nashik borewell contamination

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of reported borewell water contamination in Nashik district, Maharashtra, due to alleged seepage of chemical effluents, and has directed the state administration to provide a detailed report within two weeks.

Who it concerns: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Maharashtra Chief Secretary, the Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board, and residents of the Dattanagar locality near Ambad Industrial Area in Nashik district.

What the Commission said or ordered

• NHRC took suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding borewell water contamination in Dattanagar, Nashik district.
• The contamination is alleged to be caused by seepage of chemical-laden effluents from factories in the adjoining Ambad Industrial Area.
• NHRC issued a notice to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary demanding a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
• NHRC sought comments from the Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board.
• NHRC observed that the reported facts, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights.

Also in the document

• According to the media report cited by NHRC, residents have been receiving contaminated water for the past two months.
• The media report states that children were advised not to attend schools and doctors advised women in the area to avoid pregnancy.
• Residents reportedly spend approximately Rs. 5,000 per month on purchasing clean drinking water and incur significant costs on medical treatment.