‘Discharge Of Pollution In Yamuna, Failure To Implement Directions Is Lack Of Governance’: National Green Tribunal

The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal has observed, after perusing the status report submitted by the Delhi Government before it, that untreated and partially treated sewage and industrial waste are entering Delhi's Yamuna.While noting that the large-scale pollution is still unchecked, it said that the overall situation is "extremely disappointing."

“Discharge of pollution in river and failure to implement repeated directions for coercive against violators, including officers responsible for failure to prevent pollution, is practically lack of governance with no remedy to the suffering citizens, inspite of guaranteed constitutional right,” said Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Dr. A. Senthil Vel.

The Tribunal noted that the report does not provide any information about the quantity of sewage that has been diverted to Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and prevented from entering the river, out of the total sewage.

“Coercive measures against such serious violations are not in sight. It is mentioned that some steps have been taken for restoration of flood plains and action plan prepared which is being monitored but the fact remains that overall situation is extremely disappointing till large scale pollution remains unchecked,” NGT noted.

These observations were made while considering the status report submitted by the Delhi government. The report was submitted after the Tribunal had constituted a High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by the L-G to look into the rejuvenation of Yamuna.

In January, the Tribunal constituted a High Level Committee (HLC) headed by Lieutenant Governor, Delhi with other concerned authorities as members in Delhi for monitoring and filing status report periodically.

Questioning whether the report has been shown to the HLC so far, the Tribunal directed the DPCC to place the report before the HLC. The HLC may then take further action against violators and errant officers as per the directions of the Tribunal, it said.

While listing the matter for October 10, the Tribunal has ordered the filing of a further progress report in the matter by September 30.

Case Title: Nizamuddin West Association v. Union of India & Ors.

Click Here To Read/Download Order