The tribunal also noted shortcomings in Uttarakhand's report on the STPs (File)
New Delhi:
The National Green Tribunal has learned that according to a report by the Uttarakhand government on pollution in Ganga, even the “origin point” of the pious river has been polluted due to discharges from sewage treatment plants (STP).
The submission was made during the proceedings on pollution prevention and control in Ganga in Uttarakhand. The tribunal had earlier sought a report from the state and others.
A bench of NGT Chairman Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted the observations of the counsel for one of the intervening petitioners, who referring to the state report pointed out that a fecal coliform with the most probable number (MPN) of 540/100 ml was found in the sample collected from the 1 million liter per day (MLD) sewage treatment plant (STP) at Gangotri.
Fecal coliform (FC) levels show contamination by microbes from human and animal feces. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) water quality criteria, an MPN of less than 500/100 ml is desirable for “organised outdoor bathing”.
In the order passed on November 5, the NGT bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, observed: “It (the lawyer) has submitted that even the origin point of the pious river the Ganges is polluted by the STP discharge. .” The tribunal also took note of the CPCB report on compliance with standards and functionality of the STPs and said that out of 53 STPs commissioned, only 50 were functional and 48 did not comply with standards including FC levels and the removal efficiency of the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) range and utilization capacity.
Comparing the state report with the CPCB report, it said: “We find that the revelations made by the state of Uttarakhand in its latest report are questionable.” “We thus demand that the Chief Secretary thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that a proper status report is submitted with due compliance,” it added.
The tribunal also found deficiencies in the state's report on the STPs.
It said: “Many of the sewage treatment plants are either underutilized (Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Pauri, Chamoli) or receive the excess amount of sewage against the capacity designed for the purpose (Haridwar, Tehri) and there is no overflow of sewage treatment plants during flood /backflow. ” Regarding the status of drains in the states, the tribunal noted that 63 untapped drains directly discharge untreated sewage into the Ganga and its tributaries.
“We also find that in Kashipur, Bazpur and Kitchha towns of Udham Singh Nagar district, all drains are untouched,” the report said.
“The state's next report should provide clarity on the measures to be taken in a time-bound manner to ensure no entry of sewage (BOD) and FC into the Ganga or its tributaries,” the tribunal added.
The case was posted for further hearing on February 13.
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