The Hindu Bureau 
New Delhi

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a total fine of ₹23.7 crore on authorities in Uttar Pradesh for illegally discharging sewage and dumping solid waste in a designated green belt area near Ansal East End, Loni (Ghaziabad).

The tribunal directed the Nagar Palika Parishad, Loni, to pay ₹2.25 crore, and the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam to pay ₹21.52 crore as environmental compensation.

The case was filed by residents who alleged that hazardous municipal waste was being dumped in the green belt under the authority of an Executive Officer of the Nagar Palika. A joint inspection by government agencies confirmed environmental violations, including groundwater contamination.

In its order dated July 11, the NGT stated: “Environmental compensation of ₹2.25 crore shall be paid by respondent 1 [Nagar Palika Parishad] for the violation period from July 1, 2020, to March 31, 2024. The amount must be deposited with the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) within three months.”

It further directed that compensation for any continued violations after March 2024 should be assessed and recovered by the UPPCB following a fair hearing.

Similarly, the tribunal directed the U.P. Jal Nigam to deposit ₹21.52 crore for violations between January 20, 2024, and November 13, 2024. The amount is to be paid to the UPPCB within three months. Compensation for any further violations is to be assessed and recovered in a similar manner. 

The tribunal, comprising judicial members Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, and expert member Afroz Ahmad, directed that the recovered compensation must be used for environmental remediation and restoration. 

The environmental compensation shall be utilised for remediation, rejuvenation, and restoration of the damaged environment as per an environmental rejuvenation plan. “This plan is to be prepared by a joint committee within three months and implemented within six months of recovery. A compliance report shall follow within 30 days,” the NGT said. 

The green court observed that the overall sewage treatment setup in Nagar Palika Parishad, Loni, was in a “pitiable and highly unsatisfactory condition”.

“Only about 30% of the total sewage is treated by the existing 30 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), and that too only for 15 wards, out of a total of 55,” it said.