The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has raised serious concerns over pollution and frothing in the River Yamuna after the nodal agency tasked with monitoring and regulating pollution observed froth formation and increase in ammonia levels in the river.
This was attributed to the discharge of untreated sewage, non-operation of existing sewage treatment plants (STPs), improper functioning of effluent treatment plants (ETPs) installed by the industries and common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) located along its banks.
During recent monitoring of 22 drains, CPCB discovered that 14 drains located in Sonia Vihar, Najafgarh, Shastri Park, Shahdara, etc., in the city-state of Delhi, were untapped and discharging sewage into the river. While 5 drains are 100 per cent tapped and with no flow at downward of interception observed, 2 drains were found tapped but overflow into the river was observed.
One drain – Drain No. 14 – had no flow at all. Due to the discharge of partially or untreated sewage and industrial effluent containing phosphorus, foaming was also observed several times.
Taking cognisance of this, CPCB has issued directions to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to submit a time-bound action plan to ensure compliance to STP norms by ensuring that no untreated sewage was discharged into those drains.
Furthermore, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has been directed to take action against the non-complying CETPs and industrial units. Similar directions have also been issued to the State Pollution Control Boards of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Given the importance of the issue, reminders have been issued to concerned agencies to submit an action taken report by December 15.