Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding steps taken by Uttarakhand to stop the pollution of river Ganga, 16/04/2025
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of M C Mehta Vs Union of India & Others dated 16/04/2025. In the original application, the tribunal is considering the issue of preventing, controlling, and abating pollution in the river Ganga. The issue is being addressed on a state wise and district wise basis, and on April 16, 2025, the matter to be listed for consideration was the status in the state of Uttarakhand.
NGT, February 13, 2025 had directed the Secretary, Urban Development to file a time bound plan for 100 per cent treatment of sewage generated in different districts and local bodies within Uttarakhand to ensure no discharge of untreated sewage in the river Ganga. The time-bound plan was also sought for setting up STPs and their operationalisation with household connectivity, ensuring that the STPs comply with the norms. Reports were filed by the Irrigation Department; the Secretary, Environment and the Deputy Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
However, the tabulated information as required by the NGT order of February 13, 2025 has not been placed on record. The annexure filed alongwith the affidavit of the Additional Secretary, Environment gives the details of the drains, city wise, town wise but most of the columns have been left blank. Counsel for the state submitted that the information was sought from the different departments which was awaited, therefore, full particulars in the tabulated form as required could not be given. He submitted that a fresh affidavit within a week would be filed giving the full particulars in the tabulated form.
The NGT, April 16, 2025 also took note of the compliance affidavit filed by the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB), which disclosed that most of the STPs are not complying with the norms and were frequently found non-operational. UKPCB informed the court that direction under Water Act, 1974 has been issued to the Managing Director of Uttarakhand Pey Jal Nigam and the General Manager of Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan regarding noncompliance with the norms by the STPs.
The court directed the state of Uttarakhand to file an affidavit which would disclose the timeline as was required by the NGT order, February 13, 2025 and the UKPCB would also disclose in the next affidavit the reason for non functioning of the STP and the reason for not complying with the norms. The court will hear the case on May 29, 2025.