National Green Tribunal directs DDA to resolve issues over decentralized sewage treatment

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The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Judicial Member, and Dr A Senthil Vel, Expert Member, has directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to resolve their coordination issues regarding the decentralized sewage treatment plant (DSTP) in the South-Central Ridge area.

The NGT was considering the issue of protection of the Smriti Van, which is part of the South-Central Ridge area, and the preservation of the Macchali Talab, a water body located therein.

The DJB had filed a report stating that a 1100 KLD DSTP had been completed and commissioned on October 20, 2022.

However, the report also stated that the DSTP was intended only for the treatment of stormwater/wastewater drainage and not for the treatment of sewage and garbage coming from the nearby locality.

The NGT expressed concern over the repeated change of stand by the DJB officer, who initially stated that no sewage was treated in the DSTP, then said it was the drain water that was treated, and finally admitted that sewage was also treated in the DSTP.

The Tribunal warned the officer not to repeat such conduct in the future.

The NGT also directed the DJB to file an affidavit disclosing the status of the consent to establish (CTE) and consent to operate (CTO) for the DSTP, as well as its performance.

The Tribunal noted that the analytical report of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) dated July 31, 2024, showed that the DSTP was not complying with the standards, and the report of the DPCC further disclosed that the Machhali Pond had “zero” oxygen and a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 76 mg/l.

The NGT directed the CEO of the DJB and the Vice Chairman/Acting Vice Chairman of the DDA to hold a meeting and settle their differences regarding the operation of the DSTP.

The DJB and DDA were directed to file an affidavit disclosing that the issue relating to the lack of coordination had been solved and that the responsibility for the operation of the DSTP had been fixed.

The NGT listed the matter for hearing on March 7, 2025.

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