Pranav B Prem

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, and Delhi to ensure that all Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) discharging untreated effluents into the Ganga, Yamuna, and other major water bodies immediately install Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS). A Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. Afroz Ahmad (Expert Member) observed that pollution control authorities, both at the central and state levels, are obligated to take prompt and effective measures to ensure that industrial units comply with mandatory effluent monitoring requirements without delay.

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Background

The order came in response to an application filed by Md. Imran Ahmad, who approached the Tribunal alleging large-scale non-compliance by industries in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar with CPCB’s directive mandating installation of OCEMS for units discharging over 10 kilolitres per day (KLD) of effluents. The applicant relied on information obtained under the Right to Information Act (RTI) from the CPCB, which revealed that over 1,700 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) in these states had not yet installed OCEMS, despite repeated directions. The RTI reply, dated 03 July 2024, stated that GPIs discharging above 10 KLD are required to install OCEMS for parameters such as pH, flow, BOD, COD, and TSS, while those below 10 KLD must install flow meters and web cameras at discharge outlets.

The applicant also referred to a CPCB communication dated 02 September 2024, enclosing a list of 149 defaulting GPIs, noting 704 such industries in Uttar Pradesh, 812 in Haryana, 21 in Bihar, and 149 in Delhi. A representation dated 08 March 2025 was subsequently submitted to the CPCB Chairman seeking enforcement action, but no response was received, prompting the present application before the NGT.

Tribunal’s Observations

The Bench noted that despite repeated circulars and compliance checks, several GPIs had failed to install OCEMS and continued to discharge effluents into the Ganga and Yamuna, causing serious environmental degradation. The Tribunal observed that installation of these systems was mandatory for monitoring real-time data on effluent quality and quantity. The order stated: “CPCB and concerned PCBs/PCCs are required to take prompt action to ensure that GPIs which are required to have OCEMS do not commit the default and install the same without any delay.” The Bench underscored the responsibility of pollution control authorities to enforce compliance and monitor industrial discharges, stressing that delay in enforcement undermines the purpose of continuous monitoring and pollution control.

Directions Issued

The NGT directed the Chairman of the CPCB to consider the applicant’s representation dated 08 March 2025 and issue appropriate directions to the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to ensure installation and effective operation of OCEMS by all defaulting GPIs. The Tribunal further directed:

1. Member Secretaries of the SPCBs of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar, and the PCC of Delhi, shall submit compliance reports to the CPCB within two months.

2. The CPCB shall thereafter take remedial and punitive action against non-compliant industries within one month after receiving the compliance reports.

3. The CPCB shall file a comprehensive compliance report before the Tribunal’s Registrar General within three months via email at judicial-ngt@gov.in.

The Bench clarified that if non-compliance persists or additional action is warranted, the matter may be re-listed for further consideration before the Tribunal.

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Disposing of the application, the NGT reiterated that monitoring and regulation of industrial effluents are essential to safeguard the Ganga and Yamuna rivers from continued pollution caused by untreated discharges. It directed the CPCB and respective SPCBs to ensure strict compliance with effluent monitoring standards and take immediate enforcement action against defaulting units. The application was accordingly disposed of with directions.

Appearance

Applicant: Mr. Md. Imran Ahmad, Applicant in Person

Cause Title: MD Imran Ahmad V. Central Pollution Control Board & Ors.

Case No: Original Application No. 127/2025

Coram: Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson), Dr. Afroz Ahmad (Expert Member)