SC sets April 28 deadline for improving Yamuna water quality

New Delhi, March 10: The Supreme Court today expressed serious displeasure over the dismal quality of Yamuna river water and told the Delh...

New Delhi, March 10: The Supreme Court today expressed serious displeasure over the dismal quality of Yamuna river water and told the Delhi Government it should take steps to improve the quality significantly by April 28.

“We expect significant improvement in the water quality by April 28 and if it is not so then Attorney General Soli Sorabjee would advice as to what action should be taken," a division bench comprising Justices B N Kirpal and S S M Quadri said.

Expressing displeasure over the non-improvement of water quality of the river despite earlier orders, the apex court citing a report of Central Pollution Control Board filed by counsel Vijay Panjwani said it shows "when Yamuna leaves Delhi at Okhla it is no longer a river but a sewer drain".

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Amicus curiae in the matter Ranjit Kumar referring to press reports pointed out that on one hand the Chief Secretary of Delhi was trying to implement the Court order by closing industries which were discharging untreated affluent into the river but Industry Minister A K Walia has been reopening them.

Though Attorney General said much importance should not be attached to the press reports, the bench made it clear that it was the primary duty of the Chief Secretary to see implementation of Court orders and warned against any interference in this regard from any authority or individual.

"If there is any interference, either directly or indirectly, in this regard, Court will be compelled to take appropriate action," the bench said.