The MC Mehta Ganga Action Plan case drags on at the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The bench, headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, on May 29 discussed the nullahs in Meerut, which drain into the Kali River. That finally joins the Ganga.

The bench observed that the major drain, Abu Nala, is 35 km long and 60 percent of its area falls under agricultural land whereas 40 percent in urban areas. Ten other drains join this drain which increases the flow in Abu Nala to 39 mld. That means that this nullah has to go through Sewage Treatment Plants (STP).

There are four STPs at Gangapuram Phase 1 &2 and at Ganganagar. The bench directed that all these nullahs should be brought under these STPs and that the STPs should also be upgraded to treat these drains efficiently.

Matter adjourned, to be listed on May 30.

—India Legal Bureau​