Yamuna Pollution: NGT Seeks Action-Taken Report on Untreated Sewage Discharge

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to submit an action-taken report within six weeks concerning the discharge of untreated sewage into the Yamuna River at Mathura-Vrindavan.

The NGT was hearing a petition alleging that there are 36 drains in Mathura-Vrindavan, six of which remain untapped, resulting in the discharge of sewage directly into the Yamuna River. This has severely compromised the water quality of the river, rendering it unsuitable for sustaining any form of life.

A bench led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that in an order dated April 11, the tribunal had directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to take corrective measures. These measures included identifying the untapped drains and diverting them to sewage treatment plants (STPs). The tribunal also mandated the filing of an action-taken report within four months.

The bench, which also included Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, acknowledged that the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) had submitted a report dated August 10. According to this report, an environmental compensation (EC) of Rs 3.25 crore was imposed on the City Commissioner of Mathura-Vrindavan. The EC was levied in connection with five drains that had been discharging sewage into the river at the rate of Rs 5 lakh each for a period of 13 months.

The NGT further took note of a report dated October 4 by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which highlighted a high level of faecal coliform at the outlets of the STPs. This rendered the treated sewage unfit for discharge into the river and other forms of human contact.

The tribunal pointed out that no action-taken report had been submitted by the Chief Secretary, and some of its earlier directives had not been fully adhered to. In light of these facts, the tribunal has directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to submit the action-taken report, as per the instructions provided in the order dated April 11, 2023, within six weeks.

The matter has been scheduled for further proceedings on November 30.