New Delhi: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed coordination between Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (Dusib) to stop the flow of untreated sewage into the Barapullah drain that eventually reaches the Yamuna. During the hearing, DJB said it had identified eight slum clusters discharging sewage into the drain and it sought assistance from Dusib to provide only a single point of exit for the sewage. It proposed the installation of STPs there. A bench comprising NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel also asked both depts to submit a report within a week of the next hearing on April 15. DJB said it proposes to install modular decentralised sewage treatment plants (DSTPs) at the discharge points of the clusters. But effective implementation requires coordination and cooperation from Dusib. An interlocutory application filed by DJB sought directions to Dusib for joint action to physically intercept and trap sewage from the JJ Clusters, make it available at single discharge points, and file a compliance affidavit. The counsel appearing for DUSIB, on instructions from its chief engineer, told the tribunal that board does not oppose the relief sought by DJB. In view of this submission, the tribunal allowed the interlocutory application and directed Dusib to act in terms of the prayers made by DJB. The tribunal noted DJB’s submission that Dusib must provide a single discharge point from each of the clusters to facilitate the installation of modular DSTPs. Dusib was directed to take appropriate and expeditious action in this regard. “Learned counsel appearing for DJB has further submitted that Dusib is required to provide a single discharge point from each of the said 8 JJ Clusters for setting up the modular DSTP. Since, in spite of the opportunities, Dusib is not placing its stand on record, therefore, we direct it to take appropriate action on the above submission of DJB expeditiously,” the Feb 3 order said. DJB told the tribunal that the DSTPs are to be set up within six months. Accordingly, the tribunal directed both agencies to file their status/progress reports at least 1 week prior to the next hearing.
