Situation far from satisfactory: NGT on Delhi govt report on Yamuna restoration

The government’s report was submitted nearly six months after the tribunal had constituted a High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by the L-G to look into the river’s rejuvenation. Asking for another progress report to be filed by September 30, the tribunal has directed that Delhi Pollution Control Committee may place the report submitted on Wednesday before the HLC, which may take further action against violators and errant officers.

The government’s report pointed to a reduction in pollution levels in terms of BOD at two points in the river compared to 2022, and the extension of sewerage network to a few more unauthorised colonies and JJ clusters, while a total of 245 MGD (million gallons per day) of sewage is still left untreated in the city.

An action plan prepared by the Environment Department and approved by the committee in January had identified 8 points on which work was to be done.

Pointing to the “goal of substantial reduction” in pollution levels in Yamuna by July 1, the NGT’s order issued in January said: “Success of the committee will be viewed by outcome in terms of reduction of pollution load and thus targets of the committee should be measurable and identifiable.”

In the six months since the NGT’s order, the quantity of untreated sewage in the city has not reduced. The city’s STPs also still don’t operate at their full capacity — of a total capacity of 632 MGD, 547 MGD is being utilised. The tribunal’s order on Wednesday noted that 22 STPs are non-compliant with norms, and untreated or partially treated sewage continues to flow into the river.