Sirsa orders probe into illegal dumping of untreated septage into Delhi’s drains
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday ordered a full-scale investigation into illegal dumping of untreated septage into Delhi’s drainage system, a practice that continues to pollute the Yamuna river despite repeated warnings and penalties.
The minister has directed officials to complete the probe within seven days and asked the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to prepare a detailed action plan to eliminate such discharges within 10 days.
The move follows a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by the DPCC, which revealed that untreated sewage from unauthorised colonies continues to flow directly into water bodies. This has persisted despite the NGT’s intervention and the imposition of an Rs 18.54 crore environmental compensation on the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).
Calling the situation “shocking and unacceptable,” Minister Sirsa attributed the ongoing environmental crisis to what he described as the “complete apathy” of the previous government.
“Despite NGT’s intervention, regulations and penalties, illegal dumping of septage into the Yamuna is taking place. The former CM, who directly oversaw the Delhi Jal Board, allowed this pollution to spiral out of control,” he said.
Sirsa also quoted former CM Arvind Kejriwal’s earlier remark that “one doesn’t get votes by cleaning the Yamuna” as an indication of the previous administration’s priorities. He stressed that the present government, led by CM Rekha Gupta, is committed to reversing this neglect under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The minister noted that he has spoken to Urban Development Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh, who, he said, is “already aware of the issue and taking concrete steps” to resolve it. “Under his able leadership, we will soon see a clean Yamuna,” Sirsa added.
Earlier, a joint committee constituted by the NGT, including members from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), DPCC, and DJB, had flagged weak enforcement mechanisms under the original 2018 Delhi Water Board Septage Management Regulations. In response, the Urban Development Department recently notified amendments in 2024, empowering multiple departments, including Delhi Police, DJB and MCD, to penalise violators. Despite these amendments, the problem persists.
In April 2025, only 2.42 crore litres of septage were collected and treated, highlighting the gap between policy and implementation.
The government now aims to address these gaps under the “Mission Yamuna Cleanup.” Sirsa said the administration would “ensure that such negligence is never repeated” and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Delhi’s environment and public health.
