NGT notice to Coca-Cola's bottling plant in Uttar Pradesh

The National Green Tribunal has issued notice to beverages major Coca Cola after finding "alarming facts" in an inspection report of apex pollution monitoring body.

The green panel has directed Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCBPL) to submit a drainage map of its plant at Mussoorie Gulawati Road industrial area in Hapur district citing details of sewage and trade effluents generated from the factory.

"We have the reports of inspections conducted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) on October 19 and July 30, 2015 respectively. Alarming facts as regards the situation obtaining in the factory of Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd are disclosed in the report of CPCB.

"Before we pass any direction against the company it will be just necessary to seek the response of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd to this report in context with the UPPCB's report," a bench headed by Justice UD Salvi said.

It also directed CPCB to clarify as to whether the effluent discharged from Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) number 2 was flowing out of the factory or not and directed it to take note of the observations made in the report.

The matter is listed for next hearing on January 14, 2016.

The Tribunal was hearing a plea by advocate Sanjay Kumar seeking restraint on the alleged illegal discharge of untreated waste water into the pond situated behind the Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd's plant in Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh.

In his plea, Kumar has also sought restoration of the environment damaged because of it.