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NGT Slams India's Failing Sewage Treatment
9 Jan
Summary
- Over 2,800 drains remain untapped, discharging untreated sewage.
- Untreated sewage discharge into rivers has increased since 2017.
- State seeks deadline extension until December 2028 for compliance.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi has expressed grave concern over the ongoing failure to comply with environmental norms regarding sewage and waste management. A Supreme Court order from February 2017 mandated the operationalization of sewage, common effluent, and effluent treatment plants within three years, a deadline that expired in February 2020.
As of 2025, the situation remains critical with 2,896 out of 3,396 identified drains in Uttar Pradesh remaining untapped. Notably, 1,385 drains are directly discharging untreated sewage into rivers, an increase from previous years. The NGT observed that operational capacity of STPs is also underutilized, and in some districts, no progress has been made.
The state government requested an extension until December 31, 2028, to achieve full compliance. However, the NGT has not granted this extension and has summoned the Secretary of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the next hearing on March 12, demanding clarification on the delays and impact assessments.
