The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to look into the decrease in water level of the Yamuna in Prayagraj and file an affidavit.
The Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr A. Senthil Vel heard an original application, registered suo motu, in which the Tribunal is examining the decrease in water level due to heat and uncontrolled sand mining on the banks of the Yamuna in Prayagraj.
An apprehension was raised in the news item that on account of the decreasing water level in the river even the pump stations supplying water may not work.
In terms of the direction of the Tribunal, the UPPCB has filed the report on 31.08.2024. There are four raw water intake wells at Karelabagh on the banks of River Yamuna setup by Prayagraj Nagar Nigam to cater for the requirement of providing clean water supply to Karelabagh, Shahganj, Jonsenganj and other places.
The report indicates depleting/decreasing water level in the river resulting in dysfunctioning of pumps.
It clearly mentions that of the three pumps, pumping the water to the Khusrobagh treatment plant, the operation of the pump was stopped on 19.06.2024 since the intake of wells no. 1 and 2 had gone below the inlet suction point.
It mentions that during summer, the water level of the river had gone down. Comparison with 2023 has been made in the report, disclosing that in 2023 the water level had gone down only below the suction pipe in well no. 3, meaning thereby, the decrease in water level was more in 2024 than 2023.
A short reply dated 04.09.2024 has been filed by the CPCB. The Counsel for the CPCB sought time to look into the larger issue involved and also the report of the UPPCB and file a comprehensive report. Let the same be filed within 8 weeks by way of affidavit through efiling, the NGT directed listing the matter on 23.12.2024.