Yamuna pollution: NGT imposes cost of ₹100 crore on Noida authority, ₹50 crore on DJB

“There are designated authorities entrusted with the task of stopping it (untreated sewage) but they have failed to prevent such pollution.”

The National Green Tribunal has imposed a cost of ₹100 crore on the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority over its failure to control discharge of untreated sewer waste into drains, causing pollution in the Yamuna river.

A bench headed by National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel also imposed a cost of ₹50 crore on the Delhi Jal Board.

The green panel noted that out of the 95 group housing societies in Noida, 56 have sewage treatment facility or partial treatment facility and untreated sewage directly goes into the drain.

"There are designated authorities entrusted with the task of stopping it (untreated sewage) but they have failed to prevent such pollution despite several directions of this Tribunal in the last about four years in the light of the reports of the Committees appointed by the Tribunal after ascertaining the factual status on the ground," the bench said.

With regard to the creation of the environment cell, New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) informed the NGT that it could not be created as the process of hiring professionals has not been completed.

"Further report of NOIDA does not show any noticeable change, except that work of wetland is said to have been awarded in respect of drains but the water quality of the said drains is not meeting the standards," the bench noted.

It directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to issue appropriate directions to all pollution control boards within two months.