Summary:
COIMBATORE: A day after the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board seeking a report on the contamination of Bhavani river , the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the chief secretary of Tamil Nadu government regarding the same. The report (dated October 19, 2016) stated that the water is chemically not potable as the turbidity and iron values are more than the maximum allowed limits. Potable water and sanitation are essential to the realisation of basic human rights.Stating that it was the duty of the state to provide necessary infrastructure, the commission stated that human rights of people should not be violated. The commission is sued the notice to the chief secretary , government of Tamil Nadu and has sought a detailed report in the matter within six weeks.The main sources of contamination for the Bhavani River were found to be industrial units, Mettupalayam GH and the 28 canals carrying sewage and drainage water from the municipality into the river They have taken suo motu cognizance of a report published by TOI in its Coimbatore edition on January 16 and Chennai edition on January 20.Citing a test report submitted by the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board, TOI reported that Bhavani river water, supplied to 1.5 lakh people in Mettupalayam for drinking pur pose, is unfit for consumption..