(a) whether any direction has been issued by Union Government to Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi to reduce pollution and check the release of water contaminated with chemicals in the Yamuna river by industrial units of Delhi;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the reaction of the Delhi Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) & (b) The Government, through its Notification dated January 29, 1998 had constituted the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority for monitoring the Action Plan of the Government for de-polluting Yamuna. The Action Plan inter-alia, includes improvement of water quality of river Yamuna by utilizing existing capacity of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and constructing additional sewage treatment facilities for treating sewage generated in Delhi. An Action plan has also been prepared for setting up of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) for treating industrial wastes. In addition, the Government of India, through Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Government of Delhi, through Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) regularly monitor discharge of industrial units of Delhi into river Yamuna. However, no specific direction has been issued.
(c) The Delhi Jal Board (DJB), which is responsible for sewage management in Delhi, has already set up 17 STPs and has a plan to set up 5 more STPs by 2008 for tackling municipal wastewater of Delhi. Similarly, construction work of 11 CETPs have been completed and construction of 2 CETPs is under progress for tackling industrial pollution.