Tag: Yamuna river

  • NGT forms high-level committee to deal with pollution in Yamuna 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal on Monday formed a high-level committee to deal with the issue of pollution in the Yamuna river.

    A bench comprising its chairperson Justice A K Goel said substantial work remains unexecuted in terms of identified steps for the rejuvenation of Yamuna, and there is still a huge gap between the generation of sewage and available treatment facilities.

    The bench also comprising judicial members Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi along with expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad said the earlier directions of the tribunal regarding pollution of river Yamuna were not complied with.

    “The estimated gap is said to be 194.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage, interception and diversion of about 147 drains (connected to Najafgarh and Shahdra drains) and other small drains joining bigger drains remains (pending) and wastewater from 1,799 unauthorized colonies and 630 JJ clusters is reportedly going into the Yamuna,” the bench said.

    Other incomplete works include the riverfront development projects by DDA and desilting or desludging of drains, the bench said.

    It noted that according to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee’s data, the water quality of river Yamuna showed “high levels of biological oxygen demand (BOD)” and “innumerable numbers of faecal coliform.”

    “Having multiple authorities in Delhi may be one of the reasons for not achieving success so far. There appears to be a lack of ownership and accountability. A huge amount has already been spent without desired results and judicial oversight has continued for almost 29 years,” the green panel said.

    DPCC did not take coercive measures against erring industries or local authorities who “rampantly” continued to discharge waste in river Yamuna and drains, the tribunal said.

    “There appears to be reluctance in collecting necessary charges required for remedial measures and adopting an effective methodology for prevention of pollution and availability of funds may be an excuse for not preventing pollution,” the tribunal said.

    It said beautification of floodplain zones and dense plantations could add great value to the aesthetics of the national capital.

    “A huge amount of public money has been already spent without much results and without accountability, as noted by the Supreme Court in the context of Yamuna and further expenditure has to be incurred with a sense of responsibility, ensuring tangible results,” the tribunal said.

    The green panel said there was a need to plant trees on the flood plains of the river and buffer zones of the drains, besides undertaking engineering, structural and biological measures for a comprehensive catchment area treatment plan.

    “There is also a need to consider utilisation of treated sewage water for agriculture or other purposes, discouraging the use of chemical fertilizer and insecticides, to the extent viable and for maintaining and restoring the ecological integrity of river Yamuna, eco-technology may be used,” it said.

    “We constitute a high-level Committee (HLC) of authorities concerned in Delhi where pollution of Yamuna is higher (about 75%), compared to other river basin states. We request the Lieutenant Governor to head the committee,” the tribunal said.

    Other committee members would include the chief secretary, secretaries of various Delhi government departments, CEO of Delhi Jal Board, DDA officials, top officials of the Union ministries of Agriculture, Jal Shakti and Environment, chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board and director general of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

    The committee has to meet physically within one week and take stock of the situation with regard to the directions of the tribunal, the extent of compliance, proposed remedial action, sources of funding, accountability for past failures and methodology for execution of the projects and timelines, the tribunal said.

    “The committee may explore provision for separate channels for carriage of sewage instead of mixing the same with stormwater,” the bench said adding, “the committee may ensure that de-sludged or dredged material is disposed of as per norms at the earliest, preventing re-entry in the river and damage to the flood plains.

    The success of the committee will be viewed by the outcome in terms of the reduction of pollution and the targets of the committee should be measurable and identifiable, the tribunal said.

    The committee had to submit its first report by January 31, the tribunal said.

    The NGT was hearing a plea on the issue of pollution of river Yamuna claiming there was a continuous failure of the authorities concerned in taking adequate remedial measures despite specific orders by the Supreme Court and the NGT.

    NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal on Monday formed a high-level committee to deal with the issue of pollution in the Yamuna river.

    A bench comprising its chairperson Justice A K Goel said substantial work remains unexecuted in terms of identified steps for the rejuvenation of Yamuna, and there is still a huge gap between the generation of sewage and available treatment facilities.

    The bench also comprising judicial members Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi along with expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad said the earlier directions of the tribunal regarding pollution of river Yamuna were not complied with.

    “The estimated gap is said to be 194.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage, interception and diversion of about 147 drains (connected to Najafgarh and Shahdra drains) and other small drains joining bigger drains remains (pending) and wastewater from 1,799 unauthorized colonies and 630 JJ clusters is reportedly going into the Yamuna,” the bench said.

    Other incomplete works include the riverfront development projects by DDA and desilting or desludging of drains, the bench said.

    It noted that according to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee’s data, the water quality of river Yamuna showed “high levels of biological oxygen demand (BOD)” and “innumerable numbers of faecal coliform.”

    “Having multiple authorities in Delhi may be one of the reasons for not achieving success so far. There appears to be a lack of ownership and accountability. A huge amount has already been spent without desired results and judicial oversight has continued for almost 29 years,” the green panel said.

    DPCC did not take coercive measures against erring industries or local authorities who “rampantly” continued to discharge waste in river Yamuna and drains, the tribunal said.

    “There appears to be reluctance in collecting necessary charges required for remedial measures and adopting an effective methodology for prevention of pollution and availability of funds may be an excuse for not preventing pollution,” the tribunal said.

    It said beautification of floodplain zones and dense plantations could add great value to the aesthetics of the national capital.

    “A huge amount of public money has been already spent without much results and without accountability, as noted by the Supreme Court in the context of Yamuna and further expenditure has to be incurred with a sense of responsibility, ensuring tangible results,” the tribunal said.

    The green panel said there was a need to plant trees on the flood plains of the river and buffer zones of the drains, besides undertaking engineering, structural and biological measures for a comprehensive catchment area treatment plan.

    “There is also a need to consider utilisation of treated sewage water for agriculture or other purposes, discouraging the use of chemical fertilizer and insecticides, to the extent viable and for maintaining and restoring the ecological integrity of river Yamuna, eco-technology may be used,” it said.

    “We constitute a high-level Committee (HLC) of authorities concerned in Delhi where pollution of Yamuna is higher (about 75%), compared to other river basin states. We request the Lieutenant Governor to head the committee,” the tribunal said.

    Other committee members would include the chief secretary, secretaries of various Delhi government departments, CEO of Delhi Jal Board, DDA officials, top officials of the Union ministries of Agriculture, Jal Shakti and Environment, chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board and director general of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

    The committee has to meet physically within one week and take stock of the situation with regard to the directions of the tribunal, the extent of compliance, proposed remedial action, sources of funding, accountability for past failures and methodology for execution of the projects and timelines, the tribunal said.

    “The committee may explore provision for separate channels for carriage of sewage instead of mixing the same with stormwater,” the bench said adding, “the committee may ensure that de-sludged or dredged material is disposed of as per norms at the earliest, preventing re-entry in the river and damage to the flood plains.

    The success of the committee will be viewed by the outcome in terms of the reduction of pollution and the targets of the committee should be measurable and identifiable, the tribunal said.

    The committee had to submit its first report by January 31, the tribunal said.

    The NGT was hearing a plea on the issue of pollution of river Yamuna claiming there was a continuous failure of the authorities concerned in taking adequate remedial measures despite specific orders by the Supreme Court and the NGT.

  • Government plans to start cruise services on Yamuna river 

    By PTI

    MATHURA: The government plans to start cruise services on the Yamuna river, a top official of UP Braj Tirth Vikas Parishad said on Friday.

    An order has been placed with Cochin Shipyard by the Union government for two cruises. These cruises will be handed over to the Parishad, its chief executive officer Nagendra Pratap said.

    According to officials, the cruise service will commence from Jugal Ghat Vrindavan and terminate at ‘Vasudeo Vatika’ adjacent to Gokul barrage, with halts at various points.

    Under the scheme, more than half a dozen jetties would be developed for the 22 km journey from Vrindavan to Gokul, they added.

    The officials said the Union government is also developing similar river transport in Ayodhya and Varanasi.

    MATHURA: The government plans to start cruise services on the Yamuna river, a top official of UP Braj Tirth Vikas Parishad said on Friday.

    An order has been placed with Cochin Shipyard by the Union government for two cruises. These cruises will be handed over to the Parishad, its chief executive officer Nagendra Pratap said.

    According to officials, the cruise service will commence from Jugal Ghat Vrindavan and terminate at ‘Vasudeo Vatika’ adjacent to Gokul barrage, with halts at various points.

    Under the scheme, more than half a dozen jetties would be developed for the 22 km journey from Vrindavan to Gokul, they added.

    The officials said the Union government is also developing similar river transport in Ayodhya and Varanasi.

  • Delhi bans soaps, detergents not conforming to latest BIS parameters to curb pollution in Yamuna

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Monday banned the sale, storage, transportation, and marketing of soaps and detergents not conforming to the latest BIS parameters to curb pollution in the Yamuna river.

    The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had in January accepted recommendations of the Yamuna Monitoring Committee (YMC) which had suggested directing the Delhi government to issue orders “prohibiting sale, storage and transportation and marketing of detergents which do not conform to the revised BIS standards”.

    The NGT had also directed to launch awareness campaigns about the harmful effect of using substandard soaps and detergents.

    All the authorities concerned, including local bodies, civil supplies department and district administrations having control over shops and other establishments dealing with sale, storage, transportation and marketing facilities for soaps and detergents in Delhi should ensure the compliance of directions through strict vigil and surprise checks, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) said in an order issued on Monday.

    The pollution body has asked the authorities concerned to submit monthly action taken reports of inspections conducted and subsequent action taken without fail.

    Experts have cited soaps and detergents as one of the major reasons behind the pollution in the river.

    Many times, visuals of toxic froth floating on the surface of the river in Delhi also make their way to social media.

    The primary reason behind the formation of the toxic foam in the Yamuna is high phosphate content in the wastewater because of detergents used in dyeing industries, dhobi ghats and households, according to an official of the Central Pollution Control Board.

    “A large number of unbranded detergents are also used in households and dyeing industries. The wastewater containing high phosphate content reach the river through untapped drains,” he said.

    These detergents and other organic matter get deposited in the riverbed when the river is flowing normally.

    When water falls from a height on reaching a barrage, it leads to turbulence and churning which causes froth.

    As per a DPCC report, against a discharge standard of 5 mg per litre for dissolved phosphates, their concentration in the Yamuna varies from 6.9 mg/l at Okhla to 13.42 mg/l at Khajoori Paltan (downstream of Najafgarh drain).

    A comparison of the 2001 and 2002 Bureau of Indian Standards and those prescribed in 2020 show that Sodium Tripolyphosphates percentage for the household laundry detergents bars have been decreased from 9.5 (percentage by mass) to 5 for detergent bars, 2.5 for powder and to zero for household detergents for woollen and silk fabrics.

    In its report submitted to the NGT, the YMC had also suggested that all the manufacturers of soaps and detergents be directed to disclose the ingredients present in the product and display the same on the package.

    “This is a matter which will only be effective if the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, under which the BIS functions, is directed to bring out a policy and notify not just standards but a mandatory requirement to declare the ingredients along with their proportion,” it had said.

    Soap making is not confined only to Delhi and even if efforts are made by the Delhi government, it will not have the intended effect on soap and detergent manufacturing in other states.

    Since the effluent joins the drains and the river in Delhi, the problem will continue, the committee had pointed out.

  • NGT refuses to entertain plea by washermen against demolition of dhobi ghat on Yamuna floodplain

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has refused to entertain a plea by washermen against the proposed demolition of a dhobi ghat at Jamia Nagar in Okhla on the ground that it falls in the ‘O’ zone of the Yamuna river where construction is prohibited.

    A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said steps taken for protection of floodplain remains to be satisfactorily addressed and the encroachment is huge.

    “It is clear that encroachment from floodplain is to be removed by the Delhi Development Authority which is to be demarcated by it in the ‘O’ zone of the master plan.

    As per the letter of the DDA, the dhobi ghat in question is in ‘O’ zone.

    This being the factual position, no further order is necessary,” the bench said.

    The tribunal said that Yamuna floodplain must be demarcated and kept free from any permanent construction and wherever it is possible, it should be restored to its original position.

    The green panel was hearing a plea filed by the Muslim Kassar Vikas Sangthan against the proposed demolition of the dhobi ghat.

    According to the plea, the dhobi ghat is located 2.5 kilometres away from the waters of the Yamuna river.

    The petitioner submitted that the status quo be maintained as the site concerned is still being used by washermen to earn a living, who are otherwise facing economic difficulties on account of the prolonged coronavirus pandemic.

  • NGT directs UP govt to take action against unregulated solid waste dumping in Yamuna

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has directed the authorities in Uttar Pradesh to take action against unregulated dumping of solid waste in the Yamuna flood plains, noting that steps taken for handling the waste are not adequate.

    A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said despite monitoring for over five years and also taking coercive measures, no progress is visible.

    “Violation of environment laws is as serious if not more that any other criminal law. Failure of the authorities to check such crimes is failure of the public trust reposed in such authorities for the protection of citizens’ rights. It appears that no serious action is taken by senior officers against such blatant failures which is unfortunate, leaving the citizens at the mercy of law violators. We expect that the compost plant may now be made operational at the earliest,” the bench said.

    The segregated material recovered in the process should be properly routed and no backlog of unprocessed waste be stored to create legacy waste, the NGT said.

    “Bio-mining of legacy waste be executed and entire area be developed with plantation and landscape following guidelines on buffer zone developed by CPCB.

    A bio-diversity park may also be developed in the area. “We are making these observations on account of disappointment with the conduct of the authorities in concerned and with a hope that they will now understand their responsibilities and take stern measures in the matter,” the bench said.

    The tribunal accepted the recommendations of the Oversight Committee headed by former high court judge and directed the Uttar Pradesh administration to take steps in the matter accordingly forthwith in the interest of protection of the environment and public health.

    The directions came while hearing of a plea by seer Madhumangal Shukla who had approached NGT against “illegal” and “unregulated” disposal of solid waste in Vrindavan.

    Shukla had alleged that entire environment of Vrindavan was suffering due to the lack of implementation of Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 as garbage was being disposed of carelessly in drains and on the banks of river Yamuna, leading to clogging and stagnation.