1500 unauthorised colonies lack sewer systems polluting Yamuna

NEW DELHI: Over 1,500 unauthorised colonies and slums in Delhi lack sewer systems and are a major cause of pollution in river Yamuna. The committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed authorities to come up with a plan for preventing pollution from these sources and for proper disposal of faecal sludge and other wastes, according to an action plan for rejuvenation of the Yamuna river, prepared by the body.

Justice A K Goel, NGT chairperson appointed the retired expert member B S Sajwan and former Delhi chief secretary Shailaja Chandra as members of the committee while directing them to the submit the action plan and a detailed report.

The monitoring committee in its action plan has expressed concern over the absence of sewer networks in over 1,500 unauthorised colonies and slums of Delhi, calling it one of the biggest reasons of pollution in the river. Delhi has 1,797 unauthorised colonies that have a population of about 40 lakh, which is growing, as per a report from PTI.

The committee reviewed the sanitation situation with all authorities and issued comprehensive directions asking the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to designate scientists or engineers within their organisation to be responsible for monitoring online reports from Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and send SMS alerts to the DJB for corrective action.

The committee has also directed the DJB to immediately provide to the CPCB and the DPCC connectivity to their servers for real-time monitoring of quality of treated water from each sewage treatment plants.