Pollution board fails to submit report on 6 STPs

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) could not submit its report about the current status of the functioning of six local Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) within the stipulated time.

Now, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given three more weeks to the CPCB to submit its report about the STPs on whether they are meeting prescribed standards.

Significantly, it has also warned the CPCB that its member secretary would have to appear in person on failing to comply with the directives.

Untreated water being allegedly released on riverbed

• These Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are being operated by the Haryana Shehari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) and the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) in Kharkhara, Dharuhera, Nasiaji road, Kaluwas village and Bawal town of Rewari.
• The NGT was hearing a complaint filed by Prakash Yadav, alleging that the STPs were releasing sewage on to hundreds of acres of vacant land of a riverbed near Kharkhara and Khaliawas villages along the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway.

These STPs are being operated by the Haryana Shehari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) and the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) in Kharkhara, Dharuhera, Nasiaji road, Kaluwas village and Bawal town of the district.

The NGT issued this directive recently while hearing a complaint filed by Prakash Yadav of Kharkara village here two years ago alleging that the STPs were releasing sewage on to hundreds of acres of vacant land of the dried-up Sahabi river near Kharkhara and Khaliawas villages located along the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway.

He stated that the sewage not only led to contamination of groundwater but also damaged trees and other vegetation. Foul smell was still emanating from dirty water accumulated in the riverbed, which was a clear indication that the water was untreated, he added.

“On August 14, the NGT had directed the CPCB to conduct testing of the STPs and submit a compliance report within a month but the CPCB failed to do so. On September 24, the CPCB’s advocate stated before the NGT that samples had been collected and sent for laboratory test but the report was awaited, therefore, some further time was required,” said Yadav.

Thereafter, the NGT, in its orders issued recently, stated, “The advocate requested that six weeks’ time be allowed but we find that this is an unreasonably long time and such a request cannot be accepted. We allow three weeks’ time to the CPCB to submit a report, failing which the Member Secretary, CPCB, shall appear in person.”

Yadav said he had asked the authorities to stop the discharge of untreated water from STPs into the Sahabi river area and to ensure proper treatment of waste water before releasing it, besides conducting regular monitoring.

Harish Sharma, Regional Officer, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, could not be contacted for his comments despite repeated attempts.