Contamination Of Yamuna: SC Impleads, Issues Notice To Ministry of Jal Shakti, Delhi Jal Board, Faridabad, Agra, Lucknow, Aligarh Municipalities

In addition to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the CJ-led bench also impleaded and issued notice to the following:

(a) Delhi Jal Board;

(b) Municipal Corporation of Faridabad, Haryana;

(c) Prayagraj Nagar Nigam, Uttar Pradesh;

(d) Agra Nagar Nigam, Uttar Pradesh; and

(e) Aligarh Nagar Nigam, Uttar Pradesh

The suo moto action had come on January 13 while the Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed by Delhi Jal Board on the requirement of urgent intervention of the Apex Court in form of directions on the Haryana Government for ceasing the discharge of untreated effluents resulting in a rise of ammonia levels in river water. According to the petitioner, the intervention is essential to avert the humanitarian crisis that the citizens of NCT of Delhi are facing.

The Bench comprising of Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde, Justice A.S. Bopanna and Justice V. Ramasubramanian had observed that one of the major causes of water pollution was the discharge of non-treated/ partially treated municipal waste and effluents of various States and cities. The Court had chosen to commence with adjudicating upon the issue of Yamuna River contamination.

Subsequently, on January 19, the court had called for a report of the NGT-Appointed Committee on Yamuna contamination.