NGT forms panel to tackle Yamuna pollution

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a high-level committee to tackle the problem of rising pollution levels in the Yamuna river on Monday, January 9.

NGT bench chaired by Justice A K Goel noted that lots of work regarding Yamuna rejuvenation, which should have been completed by now, is yet to be executed. Also, there is a significant gap between generated sewage and sewage treatment capacity.

NGT bench consisting of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad noted that the direction given by the NGT regarding the Yamuna river pollution has fallen on deaf ears. The Bench said, “The estimated gap is said to be 194.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage, interception and diversion of about 147 drains (connected to Najafgarh and Shahdra drains) and other small drains joining bigger drains remains (pending) and wastewater from 1,799 unauthorized colonies and 630 JJ clusters is reportedly going into the Yamuna.”

The list of incomplete works includes riverfront development project of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and desilting or desludging of drains. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee’s (DPCC) data shows high levels of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and a significant presence of faecal coliform in Yamuna.

DPCC has not taken any strict action against industries and local authorities who continue to dump their waste in the river. 

Tribunal also said that creating dense plantations and beautification of the floodplains would be a great addition to the aesthetic value of the national capital. The environmental court also said that trees should be planted in floodplains of the river and buffer zone of the drains along with the engineering, structural and biological measures needed for an effective and comprehensive catchment area development plan.

The other members of the committee formed by NGT include the Chief Secretary, secretaries of various departments of the Government of Delhi, the CEO of Delhi Jal Board, officials from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and senior officials from the various central ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Jal Shakti and Environment Forest and Climate Change, Director General of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The committee has been given one week to physically meet and grasp the current situation keeping in mind the directives of NGT and their compliance. The committee is also mandated to propose a remedial plan, source of funding and accountability for past failure and methodology. The committee has been directed to submit its first report by January 31.