Delhi High Court asks NMCG to review plan for 13 new sewage treatment plants

Delhi’s proposed 13 decentralised sewage treatment plants are now before the National Mission for Clean Ganga, after the Delhi High Court directed its Director General to examine the Delhi Jal Board’s plan.

The August 24 order came during proceedings on Yamuna pollution. Court-appointed local commissioners told the Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora that only part of Delhi’s sewage is treated, while untreated wastewater continues to flow into the river.

The DJB said 28 operational plants meet the National Green Tribunal’s 10/10 standards. Nine others operate at the 30/50 standard and must be upgraded, with deadlines running from December 2027 to May 2028. The board estimates a sewage-treatment capacity gap of about 132 MGD and is carrying out a gap analysis.

Delhi’s operating plants had a combined capacity of 814.26 MGD on August 24. The DJB aims to raise this to 1,041.10 MGD by December 31, 2027. Work has been awarded for 28 decentralised plants in Delhi’s outer areas, with one more at the tendering stage and completion targeted by January 2028.

The court said drainage for existing and proposed plants must be prioritised and supervised by the DJB so treated water does not mix with untreated flows before reaching the Yamuna.