At Agra, the Tribunal found that there was a gap of about 183.79 MLD (megaliters per day) of sewage which was not being treated by Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and was directly being discharged in River Yamuna.
At Mathura and Vrindavan, this gap was found to be of about 4 MLD.
It stated that despite repeated opportunities afforded to authorities at both places to take steps for preventing pollution of River Yamuna, all efforts had failed.
Accordingly, NGT held that there was a clear violation of Water Act as well as River Ganga Order, 2016 given that Yamuna is a tributary of Ganga.
Therefore, it determined that it was entitled to ascertain environmental compensation on the principle of ‘polluter pays’ and also to issue directions for further preventive, punitive and remedial action in accordance with law.
Source: Barandbench
