The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed concern over the continued discharge of untreated sewage into stormwater drains in Delhi and pulled up civic agencies for delays in addressing the issue, especially in JJ cluster areas.
In an order dated May 21 in the case of Nizamuddin West Association vs Union of India & Others, the Principal Bench observed that untreated sewage continued to flow into several drains despite ongoing interception and diversion projects by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).
The Bench, headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava with expert members Dr A Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad, reviewed the status of 22 drains where diversion work is underway. During the hearing, the DJB said interception work in some JJ cluster areas could not be completed as the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) had not provided “single discharge points” required to connect internal sewage systems to the main sewer network.
The tribunal noted that discharge of untreated sewage into stormwater drains is impermissible under environmental law and said progress remained slow due to poor coordination among agencies.
The NGT also noted repeated delays by DUSIB in filing responses and supporting infrastructure work. It imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on DUSIB for non-cooperation and non-compliance with earlier directions.
