Grim Sewage Management in Jharkhand: NGT Flags Major Concerns

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised serious concerns regarding sewage management in four districts of Jharkhand, revealing a dire situation in Sahibganj, Ramgarh, Dhanbad, and Bokaro. Inadequate sewage treatment and lack of data on water quality have prompted the NGT to direct the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board to take immediate action.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sounded an alarm on inadequate sewage management in four Jharkhand districts, painting a bleak picture of pollution control in the Ganga River and its tributaries. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, examined reports from district commissioners of Sahibganj, Ramgarh, Dhanbad, and Bokaro, noting severe deficiencies.

A key concern in Sahibganj was the 1.2 million litres per day of sewage needing connection to treatment plants. In Ramgarh, the performance of installed sewage facilities was undisclosed. Significant violations were observed in Bokaro, where sewage from Chas Nagar Nigam was being discharged into the Ganga, breaching the Water Act and Supreme Court orders.

Dhanbad district faced grave issues with numerous hotels operating without pollution board consent and a complete lack of sewage treatment facilities. The NGT has instructed the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board to set up testing facilities for faecal coliform within three months. The matter is set for further proceedings on March 25.

(With inputs from agencies.)