The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken up a series of environmental matters involving sewage treatment in Delhi, wetland protection in Bhopal and alleged pollution from an ethanol plant in Karnataka.
In Delhi, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has told the NGT that progress on intercepting and treating sewage from identified drains is being delayed in several locations because of pending permissions and the lack of technically feasible discharge points.
The DJB said five of the 22 drains identified for trapping have been completed. Work on a modular decentralised sewage treatment plant at Hill View Sewage Pumping Station in Vasant Vihar is underway and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.
For eight drains associated with jhuggi-jhopri clusters, the DJB said it requires technically feasible single discharge points from the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). According to the DJB, despite repeated communications, DUSIB has not made substantive progress in identifying and providing these points.
The DJB said it is also coordinating with agencies including the Delhi Development Authority, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Forest Department to obtain sites and permissions for additional treatment facilities.
The board said monsoon conditions have further slowed some excavation and construction work. It maintained that the remaining projects would be pursued within revised timelines.
NGT panel to determine Bhopal wetlands’ full tank level
In another case, the NGT’s central bench has ordered the formation of a seven-member committee to finalise the full tank level (FTL) of Kerwa, Kaliasot and Bhoj wetlands, including Bada Talab and Chota Talab, in Bhopal.
The committee has been directed to use geo-tagging, satellite imagery, ground verification, remote sensing and drone surveys with videography to assess areas where water levels have exceeded previously installed reference pillars.
The tribunal also directed the Madhya Pradesh Water Resources Department not to open the wetland gates until water levels exceed the established FTL.
The NGT observed that existing measures for restoring waterbodies were inadequate and stressed that waterbodies cannot be excluded from wetland protection merely because they are described as dams or reservoirs.
It noted that even waterbodies created or modified by human intervention can retain their character as lakes or wetlands. The tribunal said the applicable wetland rules would cover waterbody areas exceeding 2.25 hectares in accordance with the relevant government notification.
The matter will next be heard on September 15.
Ethanol plant faces environmental pollution allegations
The NGT has also taken up allegations of environmental violations involving an ethanol plant at Ugar Khurd village in Karnataka’s Belagavi district.
The application alleges that the plant, operated by Ugar sugar factory, has caused air, water, soil and noise pollution in nearby areas. The unit reportedly began with a 45 KLPD distillery capacity in 2012 and its ethanol production capacity was subsequently increased to around 845 KLPD.
Residents have alleged that pollution from the facility has affected groundwater, agricultural land and crops. They have also complained about dust and ash generated during sugarcane processing and the transportation of bagasse in open vehicles.
The application further alleges that untreated wastewater has been discharged into the Krishna river, raising concerns about water contamination.
The NGT principal bench has directed the matter to its southern bench, where it will be heard on September 23. The applicant has been asked to submit the available material supporting the allegations.