Check status of sewage flow into Yamuna: NGT

The National Green Tribunal has asked civic bodies to inspect the current status of the number and condition of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the city. The issue garners importance primarily due to sewage flow in natural storm drains, which is eventually released into the Yamuna River.  

A report was presented by professor AK Gosain from IIT Delhi, over the issue and solutions to prevent pollution in Yamuna. The tribunal’s chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar formed a committee and asked them to inspect the city’s drainage system and STP’s present at the junction of sewage and drains. 

The committee comprises of chief engineer, Delhi Jal Board (DJB), member secretary Delhi pollution board and joint secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Forest. ‘The committee shall conduct inspection about natural and artificial drains in Delhi. Which are the main drains, joining the river? How many carry storm and sewage water?’ asked Justice Kumar. 

The professor’s report stated that water pollution due to industrial and domestic sewage, lands up within the network of natural storm drains in Delhi, which subsequently flows into the Yamuna River.

Talking about previous unsuccessful attempts to tackle the issue of sewage flow into the river, the chairperson commented that it was due to a lack of administrative will. ‘There is a lack of will among concerned authority. Rs 1200 crore have been spent till now. The issue could have been solved,’ the tribunal said. 

During the hearing a counsel submitted a suggestion that installing STP’s are not the only solution, as there are too many points where sewage and drains meet. The tribunal then asked the committee, ‘How many STP’s are there and what are their present status and at how many points new STP’s have to installed?’ The tribunal also asked the government to consider a beautification plan for Yamuna bank presented by vice chairman of Delhi Development Authority (DDA).