Drain water falling into Yamuna in Naini.
– Photo : Amar Ujala.
Expansion
NGT had ordered to stop sewerage from falling in Prayagraj to clean the water of river Ganga before Kumbh Mela to be held in 2024-25. DM Prayagraj had to take action in this matter and submit a report to NGT. NGT has now imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on Prayagraj DM for not submitting the report and negligence in complying with the order. DM Prayagraj himself appeared before NGT in the hearing held on 21 May.
In the order of NGT Chairman Prakash Srivastava, member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A Senthil Vel, it has been said that in the order of February 7, 2024, a five-member investigation committee was formed by the NGT. DM Prayagraj has been made its nodal. This investigation committee had to inspect the spot and take samples of all the drains falling into Ganga and Yamuna and the discharge of all STPs and get them tested.
Along with this, a report was to be submitted on the STP becoming functional. The report was to be submitted to the investigation committee before March 13, which was not submitted. On the demand of DM Prayagraj, an additional six weeks’ time was given to submit the report in the hearing on March 13. Even after this, the report did not come. The NGT order states that the report was not submitted even after six weeks. A report was submitted in a hurry a day before the hearing, which is erroneous.