Ensure sewage is not discharged into storm-water drains, says NGT

Ghaziabad District Magistrate told to prepare action plan

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday directed the Ghaziabad District Magistrate to prepare an action plan to ensure that sewage is not discharged into storm-water drains.

A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel said, “According to the applicant, the [current] situation is far from satisfactory as sewage is being dumped into the drains. Let the DM Ghaziabad prepare an action plan. They may constitute a committee which may forthwith obtain a report on the situation prevalent and take necessary steps.”

‘Initiate prosecution’

Noting that relevant laws bar sewage from being discharged into storm-water drains, the green panel said that authorities can “initiate prosecution” against defaulters.

“No municipal sewage and plastic waste will be disposed in storm-water drains,” the Bench added.

The tribunal further directed officers of the State pollution control board to look into similar problems prevalent in other parts of the State and issue appropriate directions. The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board has also been asked to file a report on the steps taken within six months.

The directions came while the green panel was hearing a plea moved by residents of Kaushambhi, who had alleged that there was no demarcation between sewage lines and drains.