NGT directs MCD to expedite desilting Defence Colony drain

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it has desilted nearly 80% of the Defence Colony’s stormwater drain and expects to finish the entire work by July 31, as per an order by the green court. The NGT has directed the civic body, which has missed multiple deadlines for the desilting work in the south Delhi colony, to expedite the work.

In a report to the tribunal on July 4, the municipality stated that the “Defence Colony drain is originally a stormwater drain, and the issue of foul smell and sewage inflow can only be resolved through sewer intersection and redirection, which falls under the jurisdiction of the DJB [Delhi Jal Board”.

In response, the NGT said, “We are of the view that full details of all the sewage drains which are out falling in Barapullah/Defence Colony drain are required to be disclosed along with their locations and the quantity of sewage discharged by them per day in the stormwater drain and time-bound action plan along with the full details of the action plan.”