The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken decisive action to address the persistent problem of open sewage flow in Greater Noida. In response to a plea filed by residents, the tribunal has constituted a high-powered joint committee and mandated it to take concrete steps within a strict 10-week timeframe.
Strict Directives from the Green Tribunal
The principal bench of the NGT, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, issued the order on December 15. The directive came during a hearing on an application submitted by Pradeep Kumar and Karamveer Singh Nagar, who highlighted the severe sanitation issue.
The newly formed committee comprises senior officials from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) appointed by its CEO, and the District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar. The bench specifically instructed the Additional CEO of GNIDA to ensure seamless coordination within the panel and oversee the execution of its directives.
The Core Challenges Identified
After reviewing a report submitted by GNIDA on February 5, the tribunal pinpointed key obstacles. A significant finding was the "general reluctance" among villagers to connect their households to the existing sewer network, despite GNIDA offering these connections free of cost.
The report further revealed that villagers were draining cattle excreta and animal dung directly into drains. This practice is causing frequent choking and overflowing of drainage systems, leading to a dangerous increase in faecal matter in public areas. The NGT acknowledged that while GNIDA lacks direct policing power to stop these violations, inaction is not an option.
Legal Arguments and the Final Ruling
Representing the petitioners, advocate Akash Vashishtha argued that GNIDA has a statutory duty under the Industrial Area Development Act to ensure planned development and provide basic amenities in notified villages. He contested GNIDA's stance, stating, "The sewage is still flowing on the roads and in the open at most of the places shown in our last affidavit."
In its conclusive ruling, the NGT laid down a clear action plan. The tribunal ordered that the Commissioner of Police must provide full cooperation to the joint committee. The committee's primary task is to ensure 100% sewer connection coverage in the concerned villages using all legal means available.
Furthermore, the NGT issued a stern warning to non-compliant residents. It ruled that if any household refuses a sewer connection and continues to discharge sewage illegally, the Member Secretary of the UPPCB must ensure that appropriate environmental compensation is levied by following due legal procedure.
The Road Ahead and Deadline
The joint committee now has a tight deadline of 10 weeks to complete all necessary actions. It is required to submit a detailed action-taken report to the NGT at least one week before the next scheduled hearing. This move underscores the tribunal's serious intent to resolve the public health and environmental hazard posed by untreated sewage flowing openly in Greater Noida.
