The Delhi High Court took serious note of allegations concerning untreated sewage entering the Yamuna River and directed comprehensive remedial steps by multiple authorities. The Court was hearing a batch of environmental writ petitions when it reviewed the findings of a Special Committee constituted to inspect all Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Delhi. Observing that the current sewage disposal practices were deficient and posed a significant environmental risk, the Court remarked that “an enormous quantum of work needs to be undertaken to ensure that only treated water is discharged into the river Yamuna.”
The matter arose from two public interest litigations highlighting persistent pollution in the Yamuna River, allegedly due to ineffective sewage treatment. During the previous hearing, environmentalist and intervenor Pankaj Kumar had raised serious concerns about the large volume of sewage reportedly bypassing STPs and entering the river untreated. Responding to the gravity of the issue, the Court had constituted a Special Committee to conduct on-site inspections of all 37 STPs and submit a detailed report.
The Committee, comprising legal expert Vrinda Bhandari, technical specialists Vivek Tandon and Praveen Gupta, and intervenor Pankaj Kumar, was tasked with verifying whether:
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All sewage reaching the STPs is treated before release;
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Flow meters and online monitoring systems are installed and functioning at inlets and outlets;
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Any bypassing of untreated sewage is occurring.
The Committee also provided specific recommendations regarding infrastructure improvements, such as installation of inlet flow meters and enhancement of online monitoring. In its final report, the Committee documented systemic lapses in STP operations, insufficient monitoring, and poor treatment efficacy, raising significant environmental and regulatory concerns.
Upon perusal of the Committee’s findings, the Court emphasized that immediate and coordinated action is needed from all concerned agencies, including the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
The Court observed, “There is an enormous quantum of work that needs to be undertaken in order to ensure that only treated water is discharged to the river Yamuna.” The Court also noted the inefficiency or non-functionality of flow meters at several STPs and called upon the DJB to verify the operational status of these monitoring systems.
Additionally, the Court recorded its dissatisfaction over the delay in clearing the fees of Local Commissioners who assisted in the STP and CETP inspections, holding that, “Considering the enormous efforts taken and valuable inputs given... such delay in clearing the fee cannot be accepted.”
The High Court directed that the final report of the Special Committee be circulated to all concerned authorities, DJB, MCD, DSIIDC, and DPCC, to address the issues flagged regarding untreated sewage entering the Yamuna. A joint meeting was ordered to be held on 7th August 2025 at 4:00 PM at the office of the Chief Engineer, Sewage Disposal Works, DJB, with participation from all relevant officials and the Special Committee members. The Court directed the DJB and MCD to file a comprehensive action plan addressing the deficiencies, especially regarding the functionality of flow meters and monitoring systems at STPs.
Expressing displeasure over the delay in payment of fees to Local Commissioners, the Court ordered DJB, DSIIDC, or any responsible agency to clear the dues within two weeks. The Court also directed the filing of the pending CETP report before the next date of hearing.
The matter is now listed for 11th September 2025 at 2:30 PM.
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