NGT Orders Swift Action to Stop Sewage Discharge into Hindon River

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed relevant authorities to promptly take necessary action to halt the discharge of sewage from a residential colony in Greater Noida into the Hindon river.

The tribunal has additionally called for a response from the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Greater Noida Authority.

The NGT was addressing a petition alleging that sewage waste from the Shivam Enclave Colony in Greater Noida was being released into the river.

Previously, in January, the tribunal had sought reports on this matter from authorities, including the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and Gautam Buddh Nagar district magistrate.

Acknowledging the reports, a bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal along with expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad observed, “Shivam Enclave Colony, Old Haibatpur is situated in the floodplain area of the Hindon river and it has no sewerage network, with sewage generated from it directly discharged into the Hindon river.”

“Hence, the concerned authorities are required to take appropriate action to ensure not only the protection of the floodplain but also the prevention of untreated sewage discharge into the Hindon river in the shortest time,” the bench added.

Furthermore, it demanded an action-taken report within four weeks.

In a recent order, the tribunal also issued a notice soliciting a response from the CEO of the Greater Noida Authority.

The matter is scheduled for further proceedings on May 6, 2024.