Kolkata, Aug 05: Victoria Memorial authorities today told the Calcutta High Court that all tubewells in and around the historic monument had been sealed following reports of arsenic contamination of water in the area. The Pollution Control Board (PCB) was directed by a division bench to test the water sources in Victoria Memorial for arsenic and other forms of contamination. A petitioner Subhas Dutta, who had filed a PIL alleging pollution and bad maintenance leading to degradation of the historic monument, pointed out to some reports on arsenic contamination of water in the area. Counsel for Victoria Memorial, Bikash Bhattacharya submitted that the memorial authorities had already sealed all tubewells in and around the monument, which is visited by hundreds of visitors daily, following the reports on arsenic contamination.
The bench, comprising Justice Ashok Ganguly and Justice S P Talukdar also directed the city police to take steps immediately for eviction of unauthorised settlers from the Victoria Memorial complex.
Bhattacharya submitted before the division bench that they were facing strong opposition by the illegal occupants and prayed for direction to the police to help evict the settlers.
Pollution Control Board (PCB) authorities were directed by the bench to file status report on environmental aspect in and around the historic monument within one month.
The matter would come up for hearing again on September 9.
Bureau Report