NGT Slams UP Over Hindon River Pollution Crisis

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has criticized Uttar Pradesh for failing to adequately address sewage and effluent pollution impacting the Hindon River basin. Despite submissions detailing sewage generation and treatment capacities, significant gaps remain in districts like Gautam Budh Nagar, Saharanpur, and Shamli. The NGT highlighted the lack of clear timelines for bridging these treatment deficits and concerns over incomplete sewer connectivity, particularly in unauthorized colonies.

The tribunal pointed out alarming water quality data for the Hindon, Kali (West), and Krishna rivers, indicating critically low dissolved oxygen and high biochemical oxygen demand, rendering them unsuitable for aquatic life. Specific issues were raised about Ghaziabad, where even a new sewage treatment plant will not resolve the existing deficit, and an existing plant is failing to meet standards.

Consequently, the NGT has mandated detailed disclosures on all drains carrying sewage and effluents into the Hindon system, including a time-bound plan for prevention. It also directed joint reports from pollution control boards on sewage treatment plant performance and river water quality, with the state to file a fresh affidavit addressing these concerns.