National Green Tribunal: In a batch of applications regarding the river Ganga’s water quality in Prayagraj and the alleged discharge of untreated sewage in both Ganga and Yamuna ahead of the Magh Mela and the forthcoming Kumbh Mela, the two-member bench of Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member gave a slew of directioms to the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), while directing them to ensure that the pilgrims visiting the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 should not suffer and that no untreated sewage and solid waste is discharged in rivers Ganga and Yamuna.
Pursuant to the Tribunal’s order dated 09-12-2024 granting time to the State of UP to place on record the comprehensive sewage management system/plan prepared by the authorities in Prayagraj keeping in view the existing load and expected increased load during the Maha Kumbh 2025, the Principal Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department, State of UP submitted an affidavit disclosing the present status of the generation and treatment of sewage, the expected increase on account of influx during the Maha Kumbh Mela, the current status of flow in the drains and expected increase and the steps that were taken to ensure the prevention of discharge of untreated sewage in river Ganga and Yamuna in Prayagraj.
The Tribunal noted that at Daraganj, Prayagraj, and Mehdauri Colony, Rasulabad, the State has adopted geo-tube treatment to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into the Ganga. The State also stated that during the Maha Kumbh 2025, no drain in Prayagraj will discharge untreated sewage in Ganga or Yamuna and that it would ensure that the water quality does not go above 30 mg/l of BOD though the attempt would be aimed at maintaining the standard of 10 mg/l of BOD and faecal coliform to be 100 MPN/100 ml.
The Tribunal gave the following directions:
1. During the Maha Kumbh Mela, in order to have a better monitoring mechanism and to ensure that on account of the unwanted flow of untreated sewage in river Ganga and Yamuna, the pilgrims who come for holy bath may not suffer, the CPCB and UPPCB will increase their monitoring points and frequency of monitoring on river Ganga and Yamuna.
2. The CPCB and UPPCB will take the water samples from river Ganga and Yamuna from the points at least twice a week at regular intervals by avoiding duplicity of sample on the same day and will display the sample analysis report on the website of UPPCB and CPCB. The report will also include the performance of STPs and geo-tubes.
3. Periodic samples will be collected by UPPCB and CPCB at the outlet of Sewage Treatment Plants and advanced oxidation ponds and the analytical reports be uploaded on the website of UPPCB and CPCB.
4. The sample analysis report will be sent by CPCB and UPPCB during the Mela fortnightly to the Registrar General of the Tribunal so that in case of need, the matter can be listed for consideration again.
5. The solid waste generated during the Mela will be managed as per the prescribed Rules relating to its management and disposal.
6. During the six important bathing days of Magh Mela, the regulatory agencies will strengthen the management system and be more prompt in ensuring the compliance, especially during the days of increase footfall. The authorities will ensure that no untreated sewage and solid waste from any of the drains in Prayagraj is discharged into rivers Ganga and Yamuna. The UPPCB and CPCB shall ensure that the river water quality at all times is drinking water/bathing water quality.
7. During the Maha Kumbh and after the Maha Kumbh is over, the authorities will take steps for effective disposal of the sludge generated in the STPs and deposited in geo-tubes by following the requisite environmental norms and for the same, performance report shall be filed.
[Kamlesh Singh v. State of UP, Original Application No. 310/2022, decided on: 23-12-2024]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
For the petitioner: Advocate Saurabh Tiwari
For the respondents: Garima Prashad, AAG; Ankit Verma, Adv.; Gigi. C. George, Advs.; Pradeep Misra; Daleep Dhyani, Advs.; Mukul Katyal, Adv.; Raj Kumar, Adv.
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