The Supreme Court has upheld a Rs 2 crore fine imposed on the Agra Development Authority (ADA) by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for its failure to handle untreated sewage that has overwhelmed the city’s roads. During the hearing, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar viewed disturbing photographs of the conditions, leading them to dismiss an appeal by the ADA against the fine.
The NGT had initially levied the fine after finding that the ADA allowed the occupancy of Nalanda Town without the necessary sewage infrastructure, resulting in significant environmental damage. This oversight led to daily discharges of over 1.45 lakh liters of untreated sewage, significantly impacting Agra’s ability to manage its waste, with only 220.75 MLD of treatment capacity against a generation of 286 MLD.
“Look at the photographs. They are horrible. Some of the roads are invisible, taken over by the untreated sewage waste,” Chief Justice Khanna remarked, underscoring the gravity of the negligence that led to roads being swamped with sewage.
The apex court’s decision involves not only upholding the NGT’s penalty but also reinforcing the ADA’s responsibilities. The court ordered ADA to designate a senior officer within three weeks to ensure compliance with NGT’s directives and to develop a robust action plan for managing the city’s sewage issues. This plan must be submitted to the NGT within four weeks, with ADA also tasked with ensuring weekly sewage transportation from affected colonies.
Further complicating the city’s challenges, Agra, renowned globally for the Taj Mahal and other historic sites, faces reputational damage that could deter the millions of tourists it attracts annually. The unchecked environmental issues pose risks not only to public health but also to its cultural heritage.
The funds from previously deposited fines totaling Rs 35 lakh will be directed to the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to aid in upgrading sewage treatment facilities in the area. The Supreme Court has remanded the matter back to the NGT for further orders, maintaining strict oversight on ADA’s actions moving forward.
