Submit Rs 10 cr performance guarantee for cleaning of Yamuna: NGT

NEW DELHI:  The National Green Tribunal (NGT) showed dissatisfaction for the cleaning of River Yamuna and asked Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi Government to submit a performance guarantee of Rs 10 crore each in a month.

The bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, NGT Chairperson asked these state governments to give a performance guarantee with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ensure there is no further mistake in this regard. The bench also warned the chief secretaries of all the three states that they would personally liable for any kind of non-compliance.

NGT directed the steps to be taken by the earliest for disposal of solid waste, ensuring cleaning of garbage and the cleaning of drains. These orders came just after the monitoring committee filed an interim report. The committee in its action plan recommended a study to evaluate the flow of river Yamuna for stretch between Okhla and Hathanikund. The Committee stated that the river is fighting to stay alive and it would not be possible to revitalize it until and unless the environmental flow is provided.

In regards to idol immersion, the monitoring committee asked the authorities of the city to look over the possibilities of creating artificial pits and ponds.

The NGT earlier asked the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana government to consult the members of the monitoring committee appointed by the green panel and constitute their own full time committee.

As Yamuna is highly contaminated with the industrial waste and sewage, the pollution in the river is a serious concern, said NGT officials.

NGT also asked the Haryana Pollution Control Board (HPCB) to conduct a study about the water quality and the flow of the Yamuna at the entering points of Haryana and submit a list of industries located in catchment area.