The state of Bihar has been instructed to prioritise sewage treatment plant (STP) proposals in the Ganga main stem districts that have a gap in sewage treatment. Additionally, the state has been directed to speed up all pending permissions with the National Highways Authority of India, Railways and Forest to ensure the smooth construction of 10 ongoing STPs and related infrastructure, according to a report filed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on March 17, 2025.
Further, Bihar was directed to quickly initiate the work on ground for six recently awarded STPs. The state was also asked to ensure that the existing STPs are being properly maintained and operated and corrective measures are taken for resolving the issue of non-compliance of the STPs.
The report also informed the NGT that during an inspection carried out by NMCG on December 28, 2024, 60 MLD STP at Saidpur, Patna was found to be non-compliant with respect to the stipulated discharge norms, including non-operational chlorination system.
A consultation meeting was held with Bihar and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to assess the further progress on September 11, 2024 at NMCG.
During the consultative meeting, the Bihar government was made aware of the seriousness of the water quality decline in the river and was urged to take additional actions on the issues discussed.
For eight non-compliant STPs, Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation was requested to take legal action against the concerned work agencies and to conduct the work as per the prescribed criteria for proper functioning of STPs.
The Bihar State Pollution Control Board is overseeing the quality of treated wastewater from all operational sewage treatment plants in the state. The SPCB is also taking measures against STPs that do not comply with standards. An environmental compensation of Rs 1,09,60,000 has been levied on STPs based on the NMCG letter dated January 29, 2025.
This was informed by the state government in the meeting.
The NMCG report also mentioned that on January 1, 2025, a letter was issued assigning the Indian Institute of Technology Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi the task of conducting a monitoring study and mapping faecal coliform in the Ganga river water from downstream Ghazipur (Uttar Pradesh) to Bhagalpur (Bihar).
Water quality monitoring of Buddha Nallah and River Sutlej (at upstream and downstream of Buddha Nallah) was carried out by CPCB on December 25, 2024.
The results revealed that water quality of Sutlej before the confluence of Buddha Nallah was meeting the primary water quality criterion for outdoor bathing notified by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
However, the water quality of Sutlej after the confluence of Buddha Nallah at Walipur was not meeting the primary water quality criteria for outdoor bathing with respect to biological oxygen demand, faecal coliform and faecal streptococci.
The matter related to discharge of treated effluent from the 50 MLD common effluent treatment plant (CETP) into the Buddha Nallah by the Punjab Dyers Association despite restrictions. An order dated September 25, 2024 passed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and also the Supreme Court order of February 22, 2017 prohibited discharge into the drain, also known as Buddha Dariya. Environmental clearance (EC) granted to CETP dated May 3, 2013 mandated “no discharge into Buddha Nallah”.
CPCB, in its report March 19, 2025, said that based on inspection, it was observed that two CETPs (40 MLD and 50 MLD) were operational based on EC awarded on May 3, 2013. Separate ECs for CETPs of capacities 15 MLD and 500 KLD were obtained. The CETPs 40 MLD, 50 MLD and 15 MLD was discharging the treated wastewater into the Buddha Nallah. However, the 500 KLD CETP is maintaining zero liquid discharge.
The CPCB report was in compliance with the NGT order, November 29, 2024.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is conducting periodic surveys to identify illegal borewells in Delhi. To date, DJB has identified 22,010 illegal borewells and has sealed 13,693 of them.
DJB's action report on March 19, 2025, complies with the NGT orders dated August 28, 2024, and January 8, 2025. The matter pertains to the illegal extraction of groundwater through unauthorized borewells.
All borewells without NOC from Central Ground Water Authority / DJB will be sealed. The DJB is seeking assistance from district magistrates to seal these illegal borewells.
DJB has also provided a list of illegal borewells to district magistrates, and these lists have been uploaded on DJB’s website.
On March 13, 2025, the chief executive of DJB held an online meeting with all district magistrates to expedite the sealing process.