Safiya Malik

The High Court of Delhi Division Bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, on July 28, 2025, issued comprehensive directions to multiple government agencies to address deficiencies in sewage treatment infrastructure in the capital. Acting on its own motion, the Court directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take coordinated steps to ensure that untreated sewage does not enter the River Yamuna. The directions were issued following a final report submitted by a Special Committee appointed to inspect all Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Delhi. The Court further scheduled an inter-agency meeting to be held on August 7, 2025, and mandated submission of a joint action plan and report by the DJB and MCD.

The proceedings stemmed from public interest concerns about the discharge of untreated sewage into the River Yamuna. The matter was heard by the Division Bench of the Delhi High Court in hybrid mode. On the earlier hearing date, May 5, 2025, the Court had taken cognizance of submissions made by Mr. Pankaj Kumar, an environmentalist and intervenor, alleging that a substantial portion of sewage was bypassing STPs and entering the river untreated.

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In response to these allegations, the Court constituted a Special Committee via its order dated May 5, 2025. The Committee was tasked with conducting on-site inspections of all 35 STPs in Delhi and submitting a report detailing the following aspects:

1. Whether the entire sewage/water flowing into the Yamuna River through the STPs was being treated before being released into the river;

2. Whether flow meters and sensors were installed on all outlets of the STPs;

3. Whether all discharge going through the inlet passed through the flow meters and was subject to online monitoring, or whether there was any bypassing;

4. The functioning and effectiveness of the online monitoring systems at the STPs.

In addition to these specific inquiries, the Committee was also directed to provide recommendations on:

• The feasibility and necessity of installing flow meters at the inlets;

• Other improvements for enhancing water/sewage treatment at the STPs.

The final report of the Committee, which included members such as Ms. Vrinda Bhandari, Mr. Vivek Tandon, Mr. Pankaj Kumar, and Mr. Praveen Gupta, was submitted to the Court during the July 28, 2025 hearing. The report analysed the performance and functioning of all 37 STPs in Delhi and identified numerous deficiencies, both in terms of infrastructure and monitoring capabilities.

The report was taken on record by the Court, which then observed that the issues raised required urgent attention by various agencies, including DJB, MCD, DSIIDC, and DPCC. The Court directed that the Committee’s report be circulated among all counsels representing these agencies.

The Court noted that "a brief perusal of the report itself would show that there is an enormous quantum of work that needs to be undertaken in order to ensure that only treated water is discharged to the river Yamuna."

It further observed that "the contents of this report also show that a substantial amount of work has been undertaken by the Committee. There are various shortcomings that need to be addressed and certain further elaborate steps to be taken as well."

The Court stated the importance of coordinated efforts among all agencies involved. "In order to understand the steps that need to be taken by various agencies, it is deemed appropriate to direct members of the Special Committee to hold a meeting with all the above agencies."

Regarding the flow meters, the Court recorded the submission of Ms. Bhandari, who stated that while most STPs were equipped with flow meters, "the question as to whether these are working efficiently or not would be a doubtful question, on which aspect as well the DJB will deal with in its report."

The Court also took cognizance of the delay in payment of fees to Local Commissioners, stating that "such delay in clearing the fee cannot be accepted." It directed the DJB, DSIIDC, or any other concerned authority to clear the dues within two weeks.

Additionally, the Court was informed that the final report concerning Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) was still pending. It ordered that "the same be filed and brought on record before the next date of hearing."

The Court directed that the final report submitted by the Special Committee be circulated to all counsels appearing for the agencies, including DJB, MCD, DSIIDC, and DPCC. It ordered that: "members of the Special Committee to hold a meeting with all the above agencies on 7th August, 2025 at 4:00 PM in the office of Mr. Bhupesh Kumar, Chief Engineer, Sewage Disposal Works, DJB, Room no 609 Varunalaya Phase II New Delhi. The said meeting shall be attended by the relevant officials of DJB, MCD, DSIIDC as also the DPCC, as also any other authorities or agencies whose cooperation would be required."

The Court further ordered that: "after the said meeting, the officials may agree to hold further meetings in this regard, if necessary and finally, the DJB and MCD shall file their joint report and the action plan for addressing various shortcomings, deficiencies and improvements as pointed out by the Special Committee."

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On the issue of flow meters, the Court recorded the submission and directed the DJB to include in its report: "whether these [flow meters] are working efficiently or not."

With regard to pending payments to Local Commissioners, the Court directed: "In view thereof, let the same be cleared by the DJB or DSIIDC or any other concerned authorities within a period of two weeks."

It also directed: "Let the same [CETP report] be filed and brought on record before the next date of hearing."

The Court scheduled the matter for further hearing on: "11th September, 2025 at 2:30 PM."

Case Title: Court on its Own Motion v. Union of India & Ors.

Neutral Citation: 2025: DHC:6215-DB

Case Number: W.P.(C) 7594/2018 & W.P.(C) 9617/2022

Bench: Justice Prathiba M. Singh, Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora