NGT slams DJB over rise in ammonia in Yamuna

New Delhi, January 25

The National Green Tribunal today slammed Delhi Jal Board over rising ammonia levels in the Yamuna which has left its water beyond treatment, forcing the closure of Wazirabad and Chandrawal plants.

"There is a report of increase in ammonia levels. What is your stand on it and what action have you taken in this regard," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked while directing Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to file a status report in this regard.

The order assumes significance as high levels of ammonia ranging between 2-2.5 ppm (parts per million) was traced in the river after which Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra wrote a letter to Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti about the "deteriorating" water quality in the Yamuna.

"If the quantum of ammonia in raw water increases to 0.5 ppm and beyond, the operation of treatment of raw water has to be suspended as ammonia with the treating agent chlorine gives rise to trihalomethane, which is carcinogenic in nature," Mishra had said in his letter to Bharti.

The National Green Tribunal also convened a meeting of officials of the Ministries of Environment and Forests and Water Resources, the Delhi Jal Board CEO and other officials concerned on January 28.—PTI