NGT on Ganga River: A serious revelation has been made about the pollution in the Ganga River in Uttarakhand. In the hearing of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), it was told that the originating point of the river has also become polluted due to the water released from the sewage treatment plant (STP). This information has been given citing the report of the Uttarakhand government, according to which the highest amount of pollution has been found in the water leaking from the STP located at Gangotri of the Ganga River.  

NGT has sought a complete investigation report and further action from the state government in this matter. The originating point of the Ganga river is located in the Gangotri region. Which is considered a major environmental and religious place. However, according to the petition filed in NGT, the water released from the STP of 10 lakh liters per day (MLD) capacity located in Gangotri is polluting the originating point of the river. Excessive amount of Faecal Coliform (FC) was found in the water samples taken from this STP, which is against the standards.

Water polluted beyond standards
According to the water quality norms of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of the central government, the level of faecal coliform in water for bathing in the Ganges should be less than 500/100 ml. But, in the samples taken from Gangotri's STP, this level was 540/100 ml, which is more than the standards. The level of faecal coliform indicates that the water is highly polluted by microorganisms coming from the excreta of humans and animals, which can be dangerous for health.

While hearing the matter, NGT has sought more information from the state government on the severity of this pollution and the status of the STP. During the hearing, the bench of NGT Chairman Justice Prakash Srivastava took cognizance of the petition filed in the matter and asked the state government to submit a status report of the action taken.

NGT expressed concern over the state government's report
The NGT expressed its concern over the state government's report. The state government had claimed that several steps had been taken to curb pollution in the Ganga, but the NGT compared this report with the report of the Central Pollution Control Board and called it doubtful. The NGT said that several revelations have been made in the state's report, which do not appear to be correct. In particular, the state government had reported only 50 out of 53 operational STPs as functional, while 48 STPs were not complying with the standards. 

NGT also asked the state government what steps it is taking regarding the condition of 63 drains, which are directly releasing sewage into Ganga and its tributaries. NGT expressed deep concern over this and said that due to these drains, the level of pollution in the water of river Ganga is increasing. NGT has sought a status report from the state government on the cleaning of these drains and the measures required to stop them.

NGT ordered the state government to keep a strict watch on the pollution of the Ganga river and take immediate steps to resolve it. NGT said that the next report of the state should clearly mention the steps taken to reduce pollution. Apart from this, NGT has asked the Chief Secretary of the state to properly investigate the matter and file a detailed status report.

Directing the government to take immediate action,
NGT has fixed the next date of hearing on this matter as February 13, 2025. Taking this matter seriously, the NGT bench has asked the state government to take all necessary steps so that the pollution of the Ganga river can be reduced and the water quality of the river can be improved. In case of no immediate action on this matter, NGT warned that the seriousness being shown regarding the pollution of the Ganga can become a challenge for the state government in future.

NGT's serious objection to the Uttarakhand government's report on the cleanliness and pollution of the Ganga river proves that the efforts made so far towards pollution control in the state have not been sufficient. This strictness of NGT and the order of investigation remain a challenge for the state government. If the state government does not take effective steps on this issue in time, then in future there may be even more stringent action on the pollution of the Ganga, which can be harmful not only for the environment but also for the health of the local communities.