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Delhi Sewage Plants Fail to Meet Pollution Standards, Action Promised
13 Nov
Summary
- 11 out of 37 sewage treatment plants in Delhi continue to violate discharge norms
- Gradual improvement in compliance, from 23 plants in July to 26 in September 2025
- Environmental compensation to be imposed on non-compliant plants once methodology finalized
In a concerning development, a detailed performance audit of all 37 sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Delhi has revealed that a significant number continue to violate pollution discharge standards. The audit, conducted between July and September 2025, found that while 23 STPs complied with prescribed norms in July, the number rose only marginally to 26 by September.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has informed the National Green Tribunal that it will initiate action against the 11 STPs that are still failing to meet the standards. However, the DPCC said a standardized methodology for imposing environmental compensation on non-compliant plants needs to be finalized first. The committee is currently discussing using the formula applied to 'red category' or most polluting industries.
Despite the gradual improvement, the DPCC acknowledged that a number of STPs still continue to violate norms, posing a threat to the city's environment. The National Green Tribunal has been closely monitoring the issue and has previously flagged alarming lapses in sewage treatment and river pollution control in Delhi.
