In a significant observation, the Supreme Court of India noted on Tuesday that the recent political changes in Delhi could potentially enhance the execution of environmental plans, including the purification efforts for the Yamuna River. The remarks came from a bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih during a hearing on the pervasive issue of river contamination.
The court is currently presiding over a suo motu case, titled ‘Remediation of Polluted Rivers,’ which focuses specifically on the dire state of the Yamuna. “I think with the changed circumstances now, there may be better implementation of plans,” stated Justice Gavai, highlighting the court’s optimistic outlook following the BJP’s victory over the Aam Aadmi Party in the recent assembly elections.
Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, serving as amicus curiae, informed the court that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had previously been monitoring the Yamuna’s condition through a committee. However, this committee was disbanded after the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the matter in January 2021.
Further complicating the legal landscape, additional petitions related to Yamuna pollution are pending before another bench of the apex court. The bench tasked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati with confirming the status of these petitions with relevant authorities.
The amicus curiae also recalled that the NGT had issued multiple directives aimed at improving the river’s condition, overseeing the efforts between Haryana and Delhi to establish sewage and effluent treatment plants. The bench pondered the possibility of reverting the monitoring responsibilities back to the NGT, with the amicus suggesting that such a move might enhance oversight.
Justice Gavai proposed consolidating the various cases for more effective management, considering either the NGT or a central empowered committee (CEC) for future monitoring, pending agreement from all parties involved.
