Vijay Kishor Goswami’s petition, through lawyer Akash Vashishth, demands implementation of NGT’s 2021 directive on Yamuna pollution control. Years later, basic sewage treatment upgrades remain elusive, with effluents freely entering the river, the petitioner contends.

Justice Prakash Shrivastava’s bench, including experts Dr. A. Senthil Vel and Dr. Afroze Ahmad, acted decisively during the hearing. Notices went out to respondents, who must now reply. The petitioner was tasked with serving documents and submitting proof ahead of the August 4 adjourned date.

Earlier reports from an NGT monitoring panel revealed stark disparities in Yamuna’s water quality along the Mathura-Vrindavan corridor. Downstream sections were far more polluted than upstream ones, thanks to unchecked drains. The panel criticized flawed bio-remediation, erratic sewage management, inadequate funding for land clearance, and lack of oversight against encroachments.

NGT had slammed the authorities before, calling pollution unabated and measures insufficient. It mandated STP functionality, committee suggestions’ execution, and a complete stop to untreated flows. Yet, violations persist, fueling this renewed crackdown.

Environmental degradation of the Yamuna not only threatens ecology but also public health and cultural heritage. With Vrindavan’s spiritual significance, the stakes are high. Stakeholders await whether these notices translate into real reforms, potentially setting precedents for river cleanup nationwide.