NGT calls for improved efforts in cleaning Yamuna river

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed concern over the unsatisfactory progress in cleaning the Yamuna River. It has called upon the states of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to submit a fresh report detailing the number of drains discharging treated, untreated, or partially treated wastewater directly into the river.

The NGT has also directed the Central Pollution Control Board to verify the facts and figures disclosed by the states and authorities concerned. The tribunal’s observations came during a hearing on an application concerning the rejuvenation of the Yamuna.

The bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, noted that the situation regarding the cleaning of the river is far from satisfactory. The reports submitted by all agencies appear to be deficient on several issues.

These issues include details of drains discharging treated and untreated wastewater, the quantity and quality of discharge, and the rejuvenation and restoration of the Yamuna floodplain and associated wetlands. The tribunal has also sought detailed reports from states on sewage treatment plants (STPs), including those constructed and operational to treat wastewater discharged from drains.

The NGT has asked for information on the capacity of existing STPs, the quality of treated wastewater, details of upgradation of existing STPs, and details of areas not yet covered by the sewage network system. The tribunal has also requested timelines for trapping all sewage generated from authorized and unauthorized colonies and linking it to the main drain for treatment and disposal.

The NGT has further asked states about steps taken for utilizing treated wastewater for agriculture, horticulture, construction activities, dust mitigation, and other non-contact purposes.

In a status report filed by Delhi government earlier, NGT noted that water parameters are still not meeting norms and dissolved oxygen was not found in any location. As per a previous status report filed by Haryana government, total quantity of effluent is 1,461 MLD while 921 MLD is treated by 11 STPs. The balance, 540 MLD of untreated sewage is flowing into Yamuna.

The NGT observed that no report after its previous order has been filed by UP. This situation underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to clean up one of India’s most iconic rivers.

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