NGT asks for report on Yamuna post idol immersion

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi government to submit a status report on the condition of river Yamuna post immersion of Ganesh and Durga idols.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said a detailed affidavit enumerating steps being taken to clean the river should be filed.

The green panel also asked the city government and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to submit a status report on compliance of its directions on the execution of phase-I of Yamuna cleaning work.

The first phase is on control and prevention of pollution at Najafgarh and Delhi Gate drains.

"The counsel appearing for the NCT (National Capital Territory) of Delhi submits that steps are being taken to clean the river and the flood plains of Yamuna after the festive season and immersion of idols. Let him also file a status report," the bench said.

Thousands of idols of Ganesha (the elephant god) made of plaster of Paris and coated with toxic chemicals such as mercury, cadmium, lead and carbon were immersed in the Yamuna on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi which commenced late August.

The NGT was hearing a plea filed by environment activist Akash Vashishta seeking directions for steps for cleaning the banks of the river which, he said, were completely choked with dumped waste.

Referring to a media report, the petition said due to the immersion of idols and 'puja' material, the river has virtually turned into a drain.

The bio-oxygen demand of the river, a measure of organic pollution, reached "dangerously high levels" during Ganesh Chaturthi, it said.