NGT warns agencies to take Yamuna clean-up seriously

A meeting of various stakeholders from Delhi, Haryana and the Centre was held on February 25 at the NGT.

The tribunal, however, noted in its order that it was “necessary to issue further directions to ensure compliance of the order”.

It reiterated its previous ban on dumping waste and construction debris in the river and its banks, and directed Delhi Police to depute a special force, which will work with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on installing CCTV cameras at different locations to curb throwing of waste into the river.

The NGT criticised the state government’s wish to appoint the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, to carry out the demarcation of Delhi’s floodplains. “We really fail to understand this approach of the department where more than 100 years of flood data is available,” the tribunal said.

It directed the government to prepare the ‘physical demarcation’ of the floodplains within three weeks, saying the demarcation was necessary in order to identify points where sewage treatment plants can be allowed, and construction of ghats and restoration of bio-diversity undertaken.

The tribunal also ordered the cleaning of all drains — listed in a report prepared by the NGT’s expert committee.

The NGT also directed its committee to inspect as to whether the Common Effluent Treatment Plants installed in Delhi’s industrial clusters have the “capacity to treat the quantum and quality of trade effluent”.

It also sought details of whether pickling and dyeing industries are located in those clusters.

Besides, it said the Delhi government needed to “take a clear stand as to what it proposes to do in regard to the industries located in the residential area and unauthorised colonies”.