NGT Directs Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary To Take Action Against Yamuna River Pollution In Agra

On Tuesday, The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, in coordination with other concerned authorities in the State, to take remedial action regarding the discharge of pollution in the Yamuna River at Agra.

An application was filed expressing concerns about the discharge of pollution into the Yamuna River at Agra by both the concerned local authority and private industrial and commercial establishments.

The Tribunal had considered the matter earlier in Social Action for Forest and Environment (SAFE) vs. Union of India & Ors., in which the NGT constituted a joint committee to furnish a factual report on the matter.

The bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel (Chairperson), Justice Sudhir Agarwal (Judicial Member), Dr. A Senthil Vel (Expert Member), and Dr. Afroz Ahmad (Expert Member), opined that it is clear from the report that there are huge gaps and deficiencies in sewage management in “such an important city as Agra”.

The Tribunal noted several deficiencies, such as the apparent lack of any sewage treatment plant set up since 2014, and the continued discharge of treated sewage into the Yamuna instead of proper utilization.

The Tribunal considered the issue of solid and liquid waste management compliance in Uttar Pradesh, as per orders of the Apex Court in Almitra H. Patel v. Union of India & Ors. (for solid waste management) and Paryavaran Suraksha vs. Union of India (for liquid waste), in relation to O.A. No. 606 of 2018 and compliance with the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, as well as other environmental concerns.

Considering the above matter it was held that gaps in the generation and treatment of solid and liquid waste must be addressed quickly, in accordance with the timelines specified by the relevant statutory rules and Supreme Court judgements. Officers responsible for any failure in compliance must be held accountable, added the Court.

In light of the above, the Tribunal directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, in coordination with other concerned authorities in the state, to ensure remedial action is taken in this case.

The Tribunal recommended that a special meeting of concerned officers be convened, preferably within one month, to consider several actions, including ensuring all existing 9 sewage treatment plants (STPs) are fully utilized and compliant with standards, utilizing treated effluents for secondary purposes with defined sources areas, intercepting and diverting untapped and partially tapped drains to the STPs, evaluating the performance of in-situ projects, and conducting fortnightly monitoring of existing wastewater treatment.

NGT has also ordered that an action taken report be filed within four months.

The NGT further directed that, following the pattern of the order in Rajesh Pareek v. State of Uttar Pradesh, the CPCB may file a report on chlorination, ferti-irrigation, the performance of sewage treatment plants (STPs), and in-situ remediation projects at Agra.

The matter will now be taken up on 23 August.

Case Title:Dr. Sanjay Kulshresthra v Govt. of Uttar Pradesh & Ors.

Counsel for Applicant:Shraddha Kulshresthra

Counsel for Respondent:Shivangi Kumar

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