The Nationwide Inexperienced Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of allegations that the New Okhla Industrial Improvement Authority (Noida) has been discharging handled sewage water into drains as an alternative of utilising it for irrigation and different productive functions. The tribunal acted after an HT report on June 11, 2024, highlighted the problem.
The case will now be heard by the NGT on Could 15, 2025, for additional proceedings. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photograph)
Throughout a listening to on February 6, the NGT emphasised the significance of conserving pure sources and directed Noida to submit a timeline for reaching 100% utilisation of handled sewage water.
The tribunal, being attentive to the shortage of accountability, remarked that at present solely 20% of handled water is being utilised, whereas the remainder is wasted. An NGT bench comprising justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and professional member Dr A. Senthil Vel mentioned, “The authority had submitted that the laying of pipelines for connecting the STPs was in the advanced stage, and some were likely to be completed by December 2024. But learnt counsel for the respondent has informed that work is not yet complete, and he is not in a position to disclose how much progress in the work for laying of the pipeline has been made and what percentage of work remains to be completed.”
As a lot as 74% of handled water is being wasted.
In response to an October 15, 2024, response filed by Noida earlier than the tribunal, the authority generates 260 MLD (million litres per day) of handled water however manages to reuse solely 68 MLD, leaving 192 MLD—almost 74%—to be discharged into drains. The authority claimed it’s working to reinforce reuse by laying provide pipelines.
Officers mentioned {that a} key mission entails connecting the Sector 123 sewage therapy plant (STP) to close by sectors 74-79, 112, 113, 115, 116, 117, and 118, which is anticipated to extend consumption by 18-20 MLD upon completion. One other mission goals to attach the Sector 168 STP to Sectors 83, 85, 88, 91, 135, 136, 137, 150, 151A, and 157, doubtlessly including one other 20-22 MLD to the reuse system subsequent yr, saidNoida authority’s counsel.
Regardless of these plans, Noida’s counsel admitted in the course of the newest listening to that the infrastructure stays incomplete. When questioned, he failed to supply a transparent replace on progress or quantify the remaining work.
NGT directs Noida authority to submit a plan for 100% utilisation
Taking a strict stance, the NGT directed Noida to make sure full utilisation of handled water. “The candid admission of learnt counsel appearing for respondent No. 2 (Noida) is that about 20% of STP-treated water is being presently utilised and the rest is thrown/discharged in the drain by the authority,” the bench famous. “STP-treated water has its own value since it can be utilised in different projects, which can help in saving natural water. Hence, Noida is required to ensure 100% utilisation of STP-treated water. We direct the authority to place on record the comprehensive plan along with the timeline for 100% utilisation of STP-treated water. Let the same be filed within a period of four weeks,” the tribunal mentioned in the course of the listening to.
The case will now be heard by the NGT on Could 15, 2025, for additional proceedings.