High-Level Committee Set up to Prevent Pollution of Ganga and Yamuna Rivers !

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) – The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has set up a high-level committee to prevent the pollution of the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers in Prayagraj, the city of confluence (Sangam). The committee has been directed to submit its report within two months. This order was passed by NGT’s Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava, judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi, and expert member A. Senthil Vel, following a petition filed by advocates Saurabh Tiwari and Kamlesh Singh. The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for 29th November 2024.

Ganga river water is not fit for drinking – NGT

Advocate Saurabh Tiwari had filed a petition regarding the release of untreated water from open drains into the river during the Magh Mela held in January 2024. In response, the NGT formed an investigation committee led by the Member Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the District Magistrate of Prayagraj. This committee submitted its report to the NGT on 26th April 2024. During the hearing held on 1st July 2024, NGT informed that the water of the Ganga River in Prayagraj was not fit for drinking.

Sewage Treatment Plants will not be ready before the Mahakumbha Mela

In its reply, sent on 19th September 2024, to the petition filed by Saurabh Tiwari, the regional officers from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board informed NGT that the three under-construction sewage treatment plants (STP) will not be completed before the Mahakumbha Mela scheduled to start in January 2025. The sewage being released into the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers will, however, be treated with special technology.