- (1.) By orders dated 27-8-1999 and 13-9-1999 this Court in no uncertain terms directed the National Capital Territory of Delhi through the Chief secretary to take appropriate measures to improve the quality of the water in river Yamuna so as to bring it within the prescribed parameters.
(2.) The latest report which has been filed by the Central Pollution Control board shows the situation as being still very glim. While the counsel for the national Capital Territory submits there has been an improvement in the quality of water, the same however, does not seem to be evident and even if there is an improvement the quality of water at the point of exit from Delhi is still way beyond the permissible limits. In the affidavit on behalf of the central Pollution Control Board it has been stated that this River Yamuna has been classified as Class 'c'. Keeping in view the water quality, Mr Vijay panjwani fairly concedes that this river cannot be classified as Class 'c', possibly not even classified as Class 'e' which is the least grade.
(3.) There are two main reasons for the steep and rapid deterioration of the water quality from the point the river enters Delhi and by the time when it exits. One is the domestic waste and the other is the industrial effluent. Realising that effort has to be made in a different manner with regard to this, this Court on an earlier occasion, nearly five years ago had directed that in order to treat the domestic waste, sewage treatment plants should be established. In the year 1995, it was contemplated that 14 sewage treatment plants would be set up and they were expected to be operational by the year 1997.;