M.C. MEHTA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We have gone through the submissions on behalf of the Delhi Jal Board. More than four years ago, this Court had directed the setting up of Sewage Treatment Plants. In any metropolitan town in a civilised country, it would not have been necessary for the highest Court of the land to give such a direction, but it is unfortunate that because of the laxity on the part of the authorities concerned, the Court had to step in and tell the authorities to do what they should have done themselves. A time frame was fixed for the completion of the Sewage Treatment Plants. Sixteen more treatment plants were required to be installed and were to be completed by June, 2000.

(2.) A statement which has been filed indicates that 11 plants have been completed, another four are under way and in respect of one Sewage Treatment Plant at Mehrauli, tenders have been invited and work is likely to be completed by June 2002. Out of 11 which have been completed only 8 have been commissioned. Hopefully, the rest will be commissioned by December. 2000. What is worrying is the lethargic manner in which the execution has progressed. For example, in the case of STP at Mehrauli, till today the tenders have not been finalised or accepted. We are informed that the tenders were received more than a year ago but no final decision has been taken. We direct the final decision to be taken within one week from today.

(3.) With the commissioning of all the Sewage Treatment Plants the sewage which would be treated, would be only about 505 mgd. The Chief Executive Officer of the Delhi Jal Board who is present, informs us that as of today the sewage which is generated and requires treatment is 610 mgd. The sewage which was treated as of today is only 325 mgd. Nearly, fifty percent of the sewage which is generated is flowing into the river Yamuna untreated. This gap is going to increase with the passage of time because it is accepted that by the year 2010 the sewage which would be generated would be about 764 mgd.