COIMBATORE: An RTI activist has filed an online petition to the Prime Minister’s Office seeking criminal, departmental and regulatory action against officials responsible for the pollution of the Bhavani river. The petition, filed by RTI activist S Basha of Mettupalayam, sought urgent efforts to save the river water which is supplied to people in Coimbatore, Tirupur and surrounding regions for their drinking needs.Basha stated that the river had alarming levels of pollution and posed a serious threat to public health, agriculture, wildlife, and groundwater resources. He alleged that the untreated sewage from local bodies in and around Mettupalayam is being discharged into the river. In addition, the industrial units release untreated or inadequately treated effluents into the river.Basha requested a joint inspection by central and state authorities, with a detailed inspection of all industries located on the riverbanks.
