Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Devanshu Bose Vs Agra Development Authority & Others dated 24/03/2022.

The matter related to discharge of sewage quantity of 1.45 lakh litres per day generated by Nalanda Town, a housing colony developed by a builder at Shamshabad Road area of Agra, Police Station Tajganj Ekta Chowki, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, on open land.

A Joint Committee report, February 22, 2022 acknowledged that the sewage is not being disposed of as per norms. The same is being disposed of on land which meets drain and there is no sewer line. The developer of Nalanda Town had deposited internal and external development charges amounting to Rs. 1.3 crores, the Agra Development Authority has failed to perform its duty.

The NGT, March 25, 2022 said that it is undisputed that sewage is being discharged on open land meeting a drain in violation of the Water Act. The township in question appears to have been developed without requisite infrastructure particularly sewerage system which should not have been permitted, the court said and directed further remedial action to ensure that proper sewerage system is in place connected to an appropriate STP. On untreated sewage must be discharged in open, the order, March 24, 2022 added.