Yamuna reduced to sewer line: NGT
Yamuna has been reduced to a sewer line in Delhi, observed the National Green Tribunal ( NGT) on Wednesday as it slammed the Delhi Jal Board ( DJB) over its submission that Haryana was responsible for the high levels of ammonia in the river water being provided to the national capital.
The green panel asked the DJB about what it has done to clean the river.
“You want Haryana to give you more water for dilution of the pollutants in the river, but show us what have you done. Yamuna in your territory has become a sewer line,” a bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim said.
“Why are you picking up things here and there? We are only concerned with the pollution in Yamuna. You are coming up with a new plea each time. We are interested in the entire stretch of river Yamuna and not confined to segments. We are not going to compartmentalise the Yamuna as it is all one ecosystem,” it added.
The DJB had moved a plea in the tribunal alleging high ammonia in water being provided by the Haryana government to Delhi and had demanded that Haryana be asked
You want Haryana to give you more water for dilution of the pollutants in the river, but show us what have you done. Yamuna in your territory has become a sewer line.
— Jawad Rahim,
NGT judge
to take urgent steps to check the “dangerous level of ammonia” in the river.
Senior advocate H. S. Phoolka, appearing for DJB, had said there was serious scarcity of the water in Delhi for drinking purposes and an immediate direction should be given to all the industries which are causing pollution in river Yamuna either in Haryana or Delhi.
The counsel for the Haryana government, however, opposed the submission and said the DJB should increase the capacity of water treatment plants instead of playing the blame game.
He alleged that the DJB has not complied with the tribunal’s order as its chief secretary has not participated in the meeting to resolve the issue.