Yamuna reduced to sewer line in Delhi: NGT raps DJB

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday slammed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) over its submission that Haryana was responsible for high levels of ammonia in the Yamuna water being provided to Delhi residents and observed that the river has been reduced to a sewer line in the city.

Asking the DJB what it has done to clean the Yamuna water, a bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim made it clear to the body that it was only concerned with the pollution in the river and would not go into the issue of water sharing dispute between the two states.

"Why are you picking up things here and there? We are only concerned with the pollution in the Yamuna. You are coming up with a new plea each time. We are interested in the entire stretch of river Yamuna and not segments. We are not going to compartmentalise the Yamuna as it is all one ecosystem. You want Haryana to give you more water for dilution of the pollutants in the river but show us what have you done. The Yamuna in your territory has become a sewer line," the bench observed.

During the hour-long proceedings, senior advocate HS Phoolka, representing DJB, said that Haryana should be directed to release more water in Yamuna and asked to treat water being supplied to Delhi.

He said there was a serious scarcity of drinking water in Delhi and an immediate direction should be given to all the industries which are causing pollution in river Yamuna either in Haryana or Delhi. The counsel for the Haryana government, however, opposed the submission and said the DJB should increase the capacity of water treatment plants instead of playing the blame game.

He alleged that the DJB has not complied with the tribunal's order as its chief secretary has not participated in the meeting to resolve the issue.