The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Jammu and Kashmir government to submit a timeline for setting up sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Srinagar, Chadoora, and Budgam municipalities to address the ongoing pollution of the Doodh Ganga river due to untreated sewage.
The NGT's Principal Bench, comprising Justice Prakash Srivastava and Dr. Afroz Ahmad, has asked the Commissioner Secretary of the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department to file an affidavit within eight weeks, including a timeline, responsible officials, and a phased plan for execution and household connectivity for the STPs.
The directive was passed in response to a case filed four years ago regarding illegal dumping of waste, discharge of untreated sewage, and unregulated mining in and around the Doodh Ganga river stretch. The tribunal noted that Municipal Council Budgam generates 1.62 MLD of sewage without any existing STP, while Municipal Council Chadoora generates 4.30 MLD of sewage without treatment facilities. In Srinagar, over 163 MLD of sewage is produced daily, with only 60 MLD being treated.
The NGT expressed disappointment over the lack of progress and accountability from officials, warning that failure to act would warrant further scrutiny and possible sanctions. The petitioner highlighted that despite the government allocating Rs 141 crore for STPs over a year ago, little visible progress has been made.