Yamuna resembles a drain, says apex court

Press Trust of India Updated - November 09, 2012 at 09:53 PM.

Supreme Court has asked authorities to make a joint effort to make Yamuna pollution-free. — Photo: S. Subramaniam

The Supreme Court on Friday said all parameters of water quality of Yamuna indicate that it more or less resembles a drain and asked the authorities to make a joint effort to make it pollution-free.

“All authorities are expected to make some joint efforts to make Yamuna free of pollution,” a bench of justices Swatanter Kumar and S J Mukhopadhaya said while asking the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to conduct a joint inspection on rising pollution level in the river.

It asked the agencies to make the joint inspection along with the

amicus curiae or his representative and submit the final report within three weeks so that the matter can be taken up for hearing on November 30.

The court noted the submission of CPCB counsel Vijay Panjwan that the cumulative assessment of all parameters of water quality indicates that Yamuna is not conforming to the desired levels and it more or less resembles a drain, especially after the Wazirabad area in Delhi.

CPCB also told the court that on the basis of information so far collected on inspection of the Yamuna, the river does not have fresh water.

Further, it said the National Capital does not have a proper drainage system, which was a contributing factor in the pollution of the river.

The counsel said there are 30 sewage treatment plants but even they are under-utilised to the extent of 37 per cent.

“Only 63 per cent of the sewage treatment plants are operational at present in the region,” CPCB said.

Published on November 9, 2012 14:58