Additional Advocate General for Haryana Anil Grover on Wednesday (March 7) admitted before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim that the problem of ammonia was there in the Yamuna waters and it is present in the Wazirabad Reservoir area where the Delhi Jal Board is facing problems.

The bench is hearing an appeal filed by Manoj Mishra related to the beautification of the Yamuna floodplains and regarding controlling pollution in the floodplains.

Earlier, a report on a joint inspection and a February 20 meeting between Haryana and NCT Delhi, had been filed. Grover, for Haryana and senior advocate H S Phoolka for Delhi Jal Board agreed to the fact that the report contains findings with regard to the issues that has arisen for consideration particularly about the pollution level of water, viz high level of ammonia in the water.

Haryana was to submit a report on the short and long term plans to tackle this problem. The bench had also directed the Central Pollution Control Board to conduct sampling and testing of the sludge in all the forms as suggested in the report.

On Wednesday Phoolka suggested that all industries of Delhi and Haryana which are polluting the water be shut down. The bench asked why the why DJB failed to treat the water. The bench asked the counsel for the respondents to file their statement.

The matter is listed for March 9.

–      India Legal Bureau