The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to expedite the recovery of ₹10 lakh in compensation related to environmental non-compliance at the Kondli sewage treatment plants (STPs) in East Delhi.
In an order passed on 14 August and released on 18 August 2026 the NGT also directed authorities to continue monitoring the functioning of the Kondli STPs to ensure compliance with environmental standards and prevent foul odour or untreated wastewater from affecting nearby residential areas.
The case originated from a 2023 application filed by Nature Foundation India, which alleged that the STPs in Kondli and Mayur Vihar had failed to comply with environmental norms and were releasing foul smelling and potentially harmful emissions.
The Kondli facility consists of four phased sewage treatment plants that process wastewater from residential and commercial areas of East Delhi before its treated discharge enters the Yamuna basin.
According to the NGT samples collected from the STP discharge in April 2026 showed that the plants were operating within the prescribed standards. However, the tribunal said this did not remove the liability of VA Tech Wabag Ltd and the Delhi Jal Board under the “Polluter Pays” principle.
The ₹10 lakh compensation had been imposed through earlier proceedings. In 2020, the NGT had levied ₹10 lakh on VA Tech Wabag Ltd, while another ₹10 lakh was imposed on the Delhi Jal Board in 2021 over issues concerning the plants.
The tribunal has now directed the DPCC to recover the applicable compensation and continue monitoring the STPs because of their history of environmental violations.
The Kondli STPs have faced complaints since 2018 over foul odour and alleged hazardous emissions near residential areas, particularly around Mayur Vihar. Earlier NGT directions required the authorities to keep all plant components operational, introduce effective odour control measures and ensure that all phases of the facility complied with environmental requirements.
The latest order underscores the need for continued monitoring of sewage treatment infrastructure located close to densely populated areas, even when current testing indicates compliance with environmental standards.