The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has granted the Greater Noida Authority four more weeks to submit a comprehensive status report on alleged improper disposal of sewage from around 93 villages in Greater Noida, after counsel for The authority requested more time to respond to the court’s previous mandates for detailed documentation of the sewage disposal measures adopted by it.

The case, filed in 2021 by Pradeep Dahaliya, a resident of Greater Noida, alleged widespread dumping of untreated sewage in open areas, on roads and into storm drains in many villages falling under the Greater Noida Authority.

An NGT bench comprising Chairman Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel said, “The learned senior counsel appearing for the Greater Noida Authority seeks four weeks to record the latest status as well that the details required by the previous order dated July 19, 2024.”

Following the initial complaint, the court repeatedly emphasized the importance of the authority’s compliance with waste management regulations, emphasizing the negative environmental impact of the discharge of untreated wastewater on public health and local ecosystems .

The authority, in February 2024, told the NGT that septic tanks and pumping points had been installed and about 35% of households were connected to a sewerage network. He said sludge disposal vehicles had been provided to enable disposal of waste at nearby treatment plants, while a proper sewerage network had been laid to connect the treatment plants.

The report further said that 43 villages were to be connected to STPs by the end of the current financial year, while 31 villages will be connected to STP by 2027. There are a total of 11,152 households in these villages, 7,280 of which are connected to sewers while the process is underway. The project to connect 3,874 homes is underway.

The officials also informed the court earlier that there were some hurdles in digging an approach road for laying sewer lines from individual houses to manholes and the villagers were also reluctant to connect to the sewers , fearing that this would lead to damage or work to their homes.

The NGT had asked Greater Noida to provide a detailed report by mid-July on the total volume of sewage generated, the extent of treatment at sewage treatment plants and compliance with the Waste Water Act. 1974.

However, the court found that Greater Noida’s submissions lacked details, prompting it to seek additional data on wastewater treatment standards and any active measures to prevent pollution in the affected areas.

“Sewage is dumped rampantly in the open and collected in water bodies. The sewer lines are not working here and the situation has persisted for a very long time. The authority again requested time, although additional time was given to respond earlier as well,” said petitioner Pradeep Dahaliya.

The matter will now be heard on February 7, 2025.