The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday directed that samples from drains along the 22-km stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi be tested and a data report prepared.
A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar directed the Central Pollution Control Board, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, a representative each of the Ministry of Environment & Forests and the Delhi Jal Board to collect samples and conduct tests.
The Bench directed them to “take samples from drains joining the Yamuna at least on ten different points of the 22-km stretch flowing in NCR, Delhi and prepare a data thereof. The samples would be analysed for all water quality parameters, including heavy metals, in a recognised private laboratory as well as a laboratory of the Central Pollution Control Board.”
The NGT stressed that all samples be collected particularly from the areas adjoining the floodplains where agricultural activity is taking place on the river bed.
“We make it clear that this would be considered as baseline for the purpose of determining the improvement or restoration of the water quality of river Yamuna in future,” it said.
The Bench was hearing a petition filed by environmental activist Manoj Misra. It had, in the last hearing, directed the expert committee constituted by it to see if installation of sewage treatment plants on drains was a priority.
The three-member expert committee had filed two reports on restoration and beautification of the banks of the Yamuna in Delhi and prevention and control of pollution in the river.
One of the reports said 201 stormwater drains are carrying sewage in Delhi and there was need to immediately cut off sewage flow in them. It also proposed a sewage interceptor system in unsewered areas to trap sewage from going into the Yamuna.
Another report on restoration and beautification of floodplains proposed a sewage interceptor system in unsewered areas to trap sewage from going into the Yamuna.
Meanwhile, the DDA on Tuesday filed an application before the NGT which was requested to be kept in a sealed cover as the land agency said the same contained confidential data.
