The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday banned open defecation and dumping of waste on the Yamuna floodplains and announced an environment compensation of ₹5,000 for those who violate the order.
The directions came on a plea seeking implementation of the “Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Project 2017”.
“We issue prohibitory orders in furtherance to the judgment dated January 13, 2015, that no waste of any kind and open defecation will be permitted around the water bodies and the floodplains of river Yamuna,” noted the Bench.
Pollution sources
The Delhi government and the municipal corporations were directed to immediately take action against industries which operate in residential areas and are a major source of pollution to the river.
“The authorities, including the police, shall take stringent action against defaulting persons and every defaulter would be liable to pay an environment compensation of ₹5,000 per incident,” a Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.
The green panel further said that almost 67% of the pollutants reaching the Yamuna would be treated by the sewage treatment plants at Delhi Gate and Najafgarh under Phase 1 of the “Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Project 2017”.
Committee formed
The court also constituted a committee headed by the Delhi Jal Board CEO to oversee the execution of work pertaining to cleaning of the river and asked it to submit reports at regular intervals.
Later, the Tribunal was informed that a total of 14 STP projects are to be constructed.
Of these, seven are to be built by the Delhi Jal Board with its own funds.
Wastewater cleaning
The green panel had on May 1 ordered inspection of the sewage treatment plants at Delhi Gate and Okhla to ensure that wastewater was cleaned before it reached the Yamuna.
It had also sought a report with regard to functioning of these plants.
