Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News Item titled "South Delhi pond a sewage pool with defunct STP" appearing in The Times of India dated 19.04.2024.

The NGT order of April 3, 2025 related to maintenance of Macchali talab (water body) in Smriti Van at Vasant Kunj.

The affidavit by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) dated March 5, 2025 reveals that the DSTP was setup without CTE and was operating without CTO. Counsel for the DJB said that the CTE was obtained on April 2, 2025, meaning the DSTP does not have a CTO. The tribunal directed that appropriate steps are required to be taken by the DPCC to levy environmental compensation for violating the norms.

Counsel for the DJB has submitted that there is a sewer line which has been proposed for diverting the surplus sewage coming from the existing drain to another sewage drain connected to the Vasant Kunj STP. It has not been disclosed if the Vasant Kunj STP has the capacity to take the additional load, the court pointed out.

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The NGT also directed the DJB to file an additional affidavit disclosing the capacity of Vasant Kunj STP, the existing sewer load on that STP and if that STP is meeting the existing norms. Similarly, in respect of DSTP in question also the DJB will place on record the water sample analysis report of the discharge from STP, and also its capacity, capacity utilization and sewer load it is receiving, the order said.