National Green Tribunal Seeks Action Taken Report From UP Govt on Untreated Sewage Discharge in Yamuna at Mathura-Vrindavan

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Synopsis

Expressing dissatisfaction with the non-compliance of its earlier directions, the NGT directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradrsh Government to submit the action-taken report within six weeks

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to submit an action-taken report within six weeks concerning the discharge of untreated sewage into the Yamuna River at Mathura-Vrindavan.

The NGT's move follows a petition highlighting the discharge of untreated sewage from 36 drains in Mathura-Vrindavan, with six of them remaining untapped. The untreated discharge has been identified as a significant contributor to the deterioration of the Yamuna's water quality, rendering it unfit to sustain life.

In an order dated April 11, the tribunal had previously instructed the Chief Secretary to take remedial measures, including identifying untapped drains and diverting them to sewage treatment plants (STPs). The NGT had also called for an action-taken report within four months.

The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) submitted a report on August 10, stating that an environmental compensation (EC) of Rs 3.25 crore was imposed on the city commissioner of Mathura-Vrindavan. The EC was levied for five drains discharging sewage into the river, with a penalty of Rs 5 lakh for each drain per month for 13 months.

The NGT noted a report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) dated October 4, which revealed a high level of faecal coliform at the outlets of the STPs, making the treated sewage unsuitable for discharge into the river and other purposes.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the non-compliance of its earlier directions, the NGT directed the Chief Secretary to submit the action-taken report within six weeks, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the environmental concerns related to the Yamuna River in the Mathura-Vrindavan region.