Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding 36 drains in Mathura-Vrindavan discharging sewage into river Yamuna, 05/10/2023
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Rajesh Pareek Vs State of Uttar Pradesh dated 05/10/2023.
The issue involved in the Original Application is in respect of discharge of untreated sewage in Yamuna at Mathura-Vrindavan. According to the applicant there are 36 drains in Mathura-Vrindavan discharging sewage into river Yamuna and the quality of water in Yamuna is unfit to sustain any life. In addition, out of 36 drains in Mathura-Vrindavan, 30 drains were tapped while 6 of them remained untapped. "The official claim of 70 MLD sewage being treated in Mathura-Vrindavan is noted to be fallacious," the applicant alleged.
The report by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), August 10, 2023 was filed disclosing that environmental compensation of Rs 3.25 crores has been imposed upon the City Commissioner, Mathura-Vrindavan at the rate of Rs 5 lakhs per drain per month for 13 months for five drains.
A report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicated very high number of fecal coliform at outlet of STPs which cannot be allowed to be discharged into river or for other human contact purpose. This also showed that chlorination was not effective, the court noted.
As no action taken report has been filed on behalf of the Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh. Also, the court found that the directions in the order of April 11, 2023 has not been fully complied with till now. Therefore, the NGT directed the Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh to file an action taken report in pursuance of the directions contained in the order and the report has to be filed within six weeks.
The NGT in its order, April 11, 2023 had directed the Chief Secretary in coordination with other concerned authorities in the state to ensure remedial action and for which a special meeting of concerned officers should be convened. The authorities has been directed to ensure that untapped drains are intercepted and diverted to the identified STPs, treated sewage from each STP is provided to the identified command area for irrigation/agriculture and only during non utilization period, treated sewage goes to the river. These were some of the steps that the court wanted the state to take.