Mohali Court Allows Zirakpur Municipal Council to Set Up Sewage Treatment Plant

In a significant development, a Mohali court has allowed the Zirakpur Municipal Council to set up a sewage treatment plant (STP) on its own land near Sanauli in Zirakpur. This decision comes after the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Baljinder Singh Sra directed the Zirakpur MC to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and comply with all environmental regulations to ensure the STP operates in an environmentally responsible manner.

The residential welfare associations (RWAs) of various housing societies, including Lakeview Complex, Green Valley Heights, Golden Sands Welfare Society, and Green Valley Towers, had filed a petition in a Derabassi court against the MC, seeking an injunction against the installation of the STP in a densely populated area where they reside. They cited harmful effects on their health and the environment.

These housing complexes are located in the area of Krishanpura Village, Sanauli Road, Dhakoli, Zirakpur, and Gazipur Village. On November 20, 2024, a Derabassi court had allowed their appeal, which has now been dismissed by the Mohali court. Allowing the Zirakpur MC to install the STP, the Mohali court observed, 'The proposed STP is intended to accommodate the area's growing population, and its placement will facilitate the efficient treatment and discharge of water after treatment into the nearby rivulet. The STP will mitigate pollution and eliminate foul odors caused by untreated water, as documented in the detailed project report.'

The Mohali court said it was undisputed that developers/builders were required to install small STPs in every housing society as a precondition for obtaining NOC from the MC. 'It is an admitted position that STPs have been installed in all the housing societies of the plaintiffs and are functional and operational. Thus, the plaintiffs cannot prevent the defendants from setting up an STP on land they rightfully own,' the court said.

While setting aside the order of Derabassi court, the Mohali court said, 'The trial court overlooked legal provisions and factual aspects and erroneously granted a temporary injunction, based on misreading of the regulations restraining the defendants from setting up the STP. The court wrongly relied on a letter from the PPCB, which classifies STPs as a ‘red category’ industry, while disregarding other relevant material on record.' In their 2009 petition, the RWAs had contended that under Zirakpur town’s master plan, it was ensured that no hazardous or red category industrial unit will be established within the residential zone, creating health hazards to the residents.