Overview

Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) vide judgment dated 13.01.2015 in OA No. 06 / 2012 and OA No. 300 / 2013 in the matter of Manoj Mishra vs. Union of India & Ors. issued various directions, including directions to Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to operationalize existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), construct new STPs, maintain and upgrade existing STPs and other directions to DJB.

Various orders have been passed subsequently by the Hon’ble NGT from time to time based on the Reports of the Yamuna Monitoring Committee constituted by Hon’ble NGT vide order dated 26.07.2018, including orders dated 11.09.2019, 05.03.2020, 06.07.2020 and 27.01.2021.

Hon`ble NGT during January 2023, again took cognizance of the issue of unabated pollution of Yamuna in OA No. 21 / 2023 entitled “Ashwani Yadav versus Govt. of NCT of Delhi” on 09.01.2023 and constituted a High Level Committee (HLC) of concerned authorities in Delhi headed by Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Delhi, with the Chief Secretary, Delhi, as Convener; and consisting of Secretaries of the Departments of the Govt. of Delhi viz. Irrigation, Forest and Environment, Agriculture, and Finance; CEO, Delhi Jal Board; Vice Chairman, DDA; Secretary or his nominee (not below the rank of Additional Secretary), Ministry of Agriculture, GoI; DG Forest or his nominee (not below the rank of DDG), MoEF&CC, GoI; Secretary, MoJS or his nominee not below the rank of Additional Secretary; Secretary, MoEF&CC or his nominee not below the rank of Additional Secretary; DG NMCG and Chairman CPCB. The Committee was asked to deal with all issues as set out in order dated 27.01.2021 and other ancillary matters mentioned above.

Hon`ble Tribunal in the same order dated 09.01.2023 asked the HLC to coordinate with all other Departments, to the extent necessary, meet physically, take stock of the situation with regard to the directions of the Tribunal. After its first meeting, the Committee was asked to continue to meet at least once in every week for next six months, so as to achieve tangible results within the said period.

First meeting of HLC was held on 20.01.2023 & department wise action plan for rejuvenation of river Yamuna was prepared.

An order dated 27.01.2023 has also been issued by Chief Secretary, GNCTD for compliance by the concerned departments. First report of HLC was filed before the Hon’ble NGT on 31.01.2023.