The tendency of throwing sewer and other filth in Ganga and its tributaries is not being curbed. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed displeasure over the quantity of sewer-borne fecal coliform being found to be more than the standard in Gangotri, the origin of Ganga. While hearing a petition, the Chairman of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Justice Prakash Srivastava has directed the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand to conduct an investigation in the matter. In the hearing before the bench of NGT Chairman Justice Prakash Srivastava, the counsel for the petitioner told that according to the state report in Gangotri, the quantity of fecal coliform in the sewage treatment plant (STP) with a capacity of one million liters per day (MLD) in Gangotri has been found to be more than the standard. This quantity has been found to be 540/100 ml MPN (Most Probable Number) in the collected sample. The level of fecal coliform (FC) indicates pollution from micro-organisms coming out of the excreta of humans and animals. The tribunal was also told that as per the water quality (outdoor bath) norms of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the maximum permissible limit for sewage should be 500/100 ml.
63 drains not tapped, filth falling into rivers
It also came to light during the NGT hearing that 63 drains in the state could not be tapped. Due to which filth is falling into rivers. It was also found that all the drains in Kashipur, Bajpur and Kichha towns of Udham Singh Nagar district are not tapped. It is expected that the next report of the state will clarify the action to be taken in a timely manner. The next hearing in the case will now be held on February 13.
50 out of 53 STPs are functional, 48 have low capacity
NGT also took note of the CPCB report regarding compliance with the norms and functionality of STPs and said that out of 53 operational STPs, only 50 were functional, while 48 have low capacity. These are not fully capable of removing biological oxygen demand (BOD). Comparing the state report with the CPCB report, the bench said that the revelations made in the latest report of Uttarakhand are doubtful. Therefore, instructions are issued to the Chief Secretary to conduct a proper investigation of the matter.
Imbalance in capacity utilization and design capacity in STPs
Referring to the STPs of Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Pauri, Chamoli as well as Haridwar and Tehri, the NGT said that there is an imbalance in the treatment capacity in them. At some places, less sewer is being treated than the capacity and at some places more sewer than the capacity is reaching. However, there is no mention of sewer backflow etc. in the report.
