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Supreme Court Tackles Yamuna Pollution Crisis
21 Mar
Summary
- Supreme Court appointed amicus curiae to aid in Yamuna treatment plan.
- NGT previously fined Rs 150 crore for failing to prevent sewage inflow.
- STP project completion is delayed, now expected by March 30, 2028.
The Supreme Court has appointed senior advocate K Parmeshwar as amicus curiae to help formulate a comprehensive treatment plan for untreated effluents flowing into the Yamuna River from Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad. This action is a response to ongoing concerns regarding sewage inflow into the river system.
The court is examining appeals against a National Green Tribunal order that imposed Rs 150 crore in environmental compensation for inadequate sewage control. The tribunal had noted the failure of authorities in Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Noida to contain pollution in an irrigation canal that feeds into the Yamuna and Ganga rivers.
Additionally, the court reviewed the Uttar Pradesh government's progress on a sewage treatment plant (STP), noting that while encroachments were cleared, project execution has faced delays. The completion date has been extended to March 30, 2028, with questions raised about the proposed 66 MLD treatment capacity's sufficiency.
The State of Haryana has been added as a party and is required to submit a report on measures taken to prevent effluent discharge. The Central Pollution Control Board is tasked with identifying all relevant authorities to ensure a coordinated response to this critical environmental issue.
