NGT Orders Clean-Up of Ganga and Yamuna Rivers Before Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Prayagraj Administration to take immediate and effective steps to stop or reduce sewage discharge into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers before the Kumbh Mela. This directive was issued by the Principal Bench, led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A. Senthil Vel.
The tribunal emphasized the importance of clean water for pilgrims who will bathe and drink from these rivers during the Kumbh Mela. They have given the State of Uttar Pradesh eight weeks to file a progress report on their action plan.
A recent report revealed that 44 untapped drains are discharging untreated sewage into the Ganga. The city has 81 drains releasing 289.97 million liters per day (MLD) of sewage, but the existing 10 sewage treatment plants (STPs) can only handle 178.31 MLD. The gap in treatment capacity is 128.28 MLD.
Three new STPs with capacities of 90, 43, and 50 MLD are being set up to address this gap. However, bids for the 90 and 50 MLD STPs are still in the tender stage, and work on the 43 MLD STP began in March 2024.
The tribunal also noted that 1,66,456 households are yet to be connected to the sewerage network, raising concerns about future sewage treatment. The State has committed to connecting 17 of the 44 untapped drains to the existing STP by November 2024.
The NGT had previously formed a committee to inspect all drains and STPs discharging into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj.
