Over 1,400 unauthorised colonies that are not connected to sewer lines will have to wait a bit longer as the Delhi Jal Board has suspended all work on new projects.
Last month, the National Green Tribunal had given an extensive order, titled ‘Maili Se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Plan 2017’, aimed at cleaning up the polluted river. According to the May 8 order, the DJB was asked to stop all new and existing projects, except with the permission of the NGT.
As per the plan, which will cost Rs.3,659 crore, waste water flowing into the Najafgarh and supplementary drains will be stopped, and the DJB is to work on projects including a total of 15 sewage treatment stations, three sewage pumping stations, trunk sewers and other related projects.
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However, officials say work on laying sewers in unauthorised colonies has come to a standstill.
DJB CEO S.S. Yadav confirmed: “In compliance with the NGT order, we are not taking up any internal sewer projects.”
Of a total 1,639 unauthorised colonies, only 158 have been connected to the sewer network. The DJB has been trying to encourage residents of these colonies to pay sewer development charges by slashing the same by 80 per cent earlier this year.
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Environmentalist Manoj Misra, on whose petition the NGT gave the May 8 order, said it was important to connect households to the sewer network.
“The NGT is overseeing the whole plan, so the DJB can extend sewer lines with its permission. It’s a good idea that the NGT is monitoring the work,” said Mr. Misra, who is the convenor of the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan.
According to DJB officials, laying sewers is more expensive and time-consuming than laying water lines. Currently, all work under the Sewerage Masterplan-2031 has stopped. The DJB intends to file an application with the NGT in the next hearing on July 14 to ask for a review.