NGT Orders All Delhi Households To Pay Sewerage Charge For Discharge Of Untreated Water To Yamuna

Taking note of the pollution caused in the River Yamuna due to the discharge of untreated effluents by people who have not taken sewage connection, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Delhi government to levy sewerage charges on all households in the national capital.

The NGT on Thursday asked the Delhi Government to comply with the Supreme Court order on the same.

AFP

In October 2019, the SC ordered the Delhi government to levy sewerage charges on all households in the capital within two months.

The SC order was based on the ¡°polluter pays¡± principle to stop the discharge of untreated sewage into the Yamuna and help in its rejuvenation.

NGT directed Delhi government to comply with Supreme Court order to levy sewerage charges in Delhi on all households in the national capital for the discharge of untreated effluents in the Yamuna.

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The green panel noted that 2.3 lakh people in unauthorised colonies in Delhi have not taken sewage connection which was resulting in the emission of pollutants in the river.

The NGT said as per "Polluter pays Principle, every individual household causing pollution by the release of sewage into the open environment or in the sewer network is liable for payment for its treatment."

"The Delhi Government may forthwith comply with the order of the Supreme Court dated October 24, 2019 on the subject of levy and recovery of the sewage charges," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice AK Goel said.

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In 2015, the green panel had directed the authorities to charge every household in Delhi an environmental compensation amount for generating sewage, which was upheld by the SC last year.

The NGT said major problem continues to be pollution caused by the discharge of sewage, industrial effluents and other pollutants.

"If Yamuna is to be rejuvenated such discharges either directly or through drains need to be stopped. This is possible only if the Integrated Drain Management Cell performs its functions effectively to prevent discharge of untreated sewage into the drains or into the Yamuna," the bench said.

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In 2019 an NGT Committee had also found that at least 61% of Delhiites benefit from the state government¡¯s free water scheme but are not paying any sewerage charges, which goes against the principle of ¡°polluter pays¡±.

This is happening in not just unauthorized colonies but even in the case of high-end organized colonies and Group Housing Societies.