Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa takes corrective measures on Illegal Dumping of Untreated Septage into Delhi Drains

New Delhi, May 14, 2025: Hon’ble Minister of Environment in Delhi, Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa, has issued corrective measures against the continued dumping of untreated septage (septic tank effluent) into Delhi’s drainage system, ultimately polluting the Yamuna River.

Hon’ble Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “I have already discussed about the matter with Hon’ble Minister Shri Pravesh Sahib Singh ji who has informed me that he is already aware of this issue which is mainly caused by inaction and apathy of previous governments and he is taking concrete steps to resolve it.”

The hon’ble minister noted that this environmental negligence dates back to the previous government. “It is shocking and unacceptable that despite Hon’ble NGT intervention, regulations, and a ₹18 crore environmental compensation, the illegal dumping of septage into the Yamuna is taking place,” said Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa.

“The root of this crisis lies in the complete apathy of the previous government. The former Chief Minister, who directly oversaw the DJB, failed to act and allowed this pollution to get out of control. Despite repeated follow-ups by the Hon’ble NGT, the previous government did nothing about the cleaning of the Yamuna. Their silence and inaction show how little they cared about the health of Delhi’s environment or its people. Former CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal had said that one doesn’t get votes with the cleaning of the Yamuna. This amply displays the priority he had for a clean Yamuna.”

This action follows Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)’s report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which revealed that untreated waste from unauthorised colonies to flow directly into water bodies—despite the imposition of an environmental compensation of ₹18.54 crore on the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).

Earlier, Hon’ble NGT had constituted a Joint Committee, chaired by a former Delhi High Court judge and comprising members from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), DPCC, and DJB. The committee’s recommendations—focused on strengthening the enforcement of the Delhi Water Board Septage Management Regulations, were accepted by the Tribunal. However, previous government were negligent on these issues and didn’t keep the interests of the Delhi citizens at hand.

One of the key challenges identified by the Joint Committee was the lack of enforcement powers granted to agencies such as the Delhi Police and Traffic Police under the original 2018 regulations. To address this, the Urban Development Department of the Government of NCT of Delhi notified the Delhi Water Board Septage Management (Amendment) Regulations, 2024. These amendments empowered multiple departments—including DJB, I&FCD, Delhi Police, and MCD—to impose penalties for violations. However, despite the broadened enforcement scope and the strengthened regulatory framework, the previous government displayed apathy, and the issue could not be addressed effectively. Consequently, the problem of untreated waste discharge remains unresolved.

The Septage collected & treated in April, 2025 is 2.42 Crore Litres

Immediately after reviewing the issue, Minister Sirsa instructed for a full-scale investigation into the scope of illegal septage dumping to be completed within 7 days. In addition, the DPCC has been tasked with formulating a comprehensive plan within 10 days to eliminate all instances of illegal sewage and septage discharge into drains.

Hon’ble Minister Sirsa has made it clear that this government, under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the proactive governance of Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, is determined to right these wrongs. “Hon’ble Minister Shri Pravesh Sahib Singh ji is taking all necessary measures to rectify the issue. Under his able management and leadership, we will soon see a clean Yamuna. Under Mission Yamuna Cleanup, we are committed to correcting the failures of the past and ensuring that such negligence is never repeated.”