‘No polluter will be spared': Delhi PWD minister announces crackdown on industrial discharge into Yamuna river

Indian Express

4 hours ago

Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) and Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Friday ordered a city-wide crackdown on the discharge of illegal sewage and industrial waste into the Yamuna, kickstarting an enforcement campaign to tackle water pollution in the capital.
Calling untreated sewage discharge a 'crisis that can no longer be ignored,' Singh directed all departments concerned to begin immediate inspections across Delhi's industrial and commercial establishments. 'No polluter will be spared. We will act — and act fast,' the minister was quoted as saying, in the statement issued by the PWD on Friday.
According to the statement, the drive will target all establishments legally mandated to install and operate Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) or Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs).
'Comprehensive and time-bound inspections' are to be conducted to ensure these plants are both installed and functioning properly. The statement also noted that any non-compliance would invite strict legal action under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
Emphasising a 'zero-tolerance' policy, the PWD said penalties would be enforced 'with no exemptions or delays'. The Water Act allows for fines and imprisonment for discharging pollutants into water bodies without treatment or consent.
A real-time e-dashboard will be developed to track inspection status, record violations, and monitor corrective measures. Departments have been directed to submit bi-monthly compliance reports to the minister's office to ensure regular monitoring and accountability.
The minister also stressed that 'departmental coordination is key' and called for 'seamless coordination among all enforcement and technical departments' to eliminate delays and ensure timely action.
The crackdown comes amid longstanding concerns over the pollution levels in the Yamuna. Despite previous clean-up plans and multiple deadlines, large volumes of untreated waste continue to flow into the river, especially from unregulated industrial clusters and unauthorised colonies, as per government records.
'This is not a symbolic act. It is a matter of survival and legacy. Delhi must rise to this challenge,' Singh said.
The enforcement drive begins with immediate effect, said the PWD. High-risk zones and habitual defaulters will be prioritised. Citizens have also been encouraged to report instances of illegal discharge through local helplines or municipal channels.