Pune: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench in Pune has directed Appasaheb Nalawade Gadhinglaj Taluka Cooperative Sugar Factory in Kolhapur district to deposit Rs 50.10 lakh as environmental damage compensation (EDC) with Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) within one month for polluting the Hiranyakeshi River by discharging untreated effluent.A bench comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, in its March 23 order, stated that MPCB must utilise the deposited amount for environmental restoration at the affected site within six months. “A report in this regard shall be submitted by MPCB to the Registry of this Tribunal within one month after utilising the said amount of EDC,” the bench stated.Petitioner Shahu Shivaji Modak had approached the NGT bench alleging that the sugar factory was releasing molasses and other effluents into the river, leading to pollution of water and groundwater, and posing health risks to local residents and animals.Following the NGT’s order dated April 18, 2022, a joint committee comprising representatives of MPCB, state departments concerned, and the district administration inspected the site on June 6, 2022.The committee reported multiple deficiencies in the functioning of the sugar factory’s effluent treatment system and noted that certain units of the effluent treatment plant (ETP) were not functioning properly. It also found that untreated or inadequately treated effluent was being stored in lagoons near the factory, posing a risk of overflow into nearby drains leading to the river, particularly during the monsoon.The pollution control board calculated the environmental damage compensation based on violations over multiple days of operation and submitted an affidavit to the tribunal on March 20.In its submission, the sugar factory sought a waiver or reduction of the compensation, citing financial constraints and arguing that violations occurred only over eight days when pollution levels exceeded permissible limits. It also submitted that its analytical reports had not been considered by MPCB.The bench, however, rejected these arguments. It stated: “We cannot disbelieve the above averment of MPCB, as it has clearly stated that an opportunity of hearing was provided to the project proponent, during which, no such averment was made by the respondent No.1 (sugar factory). They are claiming that the readings were within limits except for eight days. We are in agreement with the affidavit filed by MPCB dated March 20, 2026, whereby the details have been given for the calculation of the EDC amount, which we have cited above.“
