New Delhi: National Green Tribunal has directed the authorities to ensure regular monitoring of the sewage treatment plants (STPs) at New Kondli, Mayur Vihar Phase-III, so that they continue to operate in accordance with the prescribed environmental norms and do not cause inconvenience to residents through foul odour or other impacts.The tribunal was hearing pleas alleging non-compliance with environmental standards by Kondli Phase-I to IV STPs, including discharge of untreated water and emission of foul odour and poisonous gases, which were alleged to be a cause of health and environmental concerns for residents.Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) had imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 10 lakh on Kondli STPs in 2024 after they failed to meet parameters. However, DPCC, in an Aug 13 report, stated that as per the analysis report for April this year, STPs Kondli Phase I, II, III and IV are meeting the prescribed standard.Delhi Jal Board had earlier informed the tribunal that the deficiencies identified by DPCC had been rectified, rehabilitation works had been completed and the STPs were operating according to prescribed norms. MCD told the tribunal that preventive and remedial measures will be regularly undertaken by MCD to control the emission of foul odour from the STPs.The bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad said in an Aug 14 order, “As of now the remedial measures have been taken by the concerned authorities, but these authorities are required to regularly monitor the STPs and ensure that these STPs perform as per the applicable norms and no inconvenience is caused to the residents of the area on account of the emission of foul odour from these STPs.”The tribunal asked DPCC to take expeditious steps to recover this environmental damage compensation, if there is no legal impediment in this regard. “The DPCC will ascertain the further period of violation and will levy the environmental damage compensation for the subsequent period also by duly following the principles of natural justice,” it said. DPCC has also been directed to maintain regular monitoring and to ensure immediate remedial and punitive action if any violation of environmental norms is detected in future.
