NGT asks Delhi Jal Board to prepare 'action plan' for utilisation of treated waste water

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to prepare an action plan for utilisation of treated wastewater from the sewage treatment plants (STP) in the national capital within a month.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar said efforts should be made to ensure that the treated water is used as a resource and not wasted.

"We also direct the Chief Secretary, Delhi to oversee this aspect of working of DJB i.e. plan for utilisation of treated wastewater for secondary purposes.

"It may also be ensured that groundwater is not used for horticultural purposes for parks and the green belts by authorities concerned including the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, the Delhi Development Authority and the NCT of Delhi," the bench said.

The tribunal directed the Delhi chief secretary to call a meeting of all the parties within two weeks on the issue.

The matter is posted for next hearing on November 13.

The tribunal has directed the Delhi government to explore the feasibility of laying a dedicated pipeline to supply recycled water in South Delhi.

The direction came during the hearing of a plea filed by Mahesh Chandra Saxena, who claims to be associated with an NGO working in the field of groundwater conservation.

He has sought directions to the SDMC to stop construction of the rainwater harvesting system in a nearby park near the Chhattarpur temple in South Delhi and restriction on groundwater usage through borewells.

The petitioner has also sought directions for the use of recycled treated water from DJB's sewage treatment plant at Qutub Metro Station to avoid wastage of water.