National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled "Yeh Bhi Ajab Crore Ke ... vs Coram: Hon'Ble Mr. Justice Prakash ... on 18 May, 2026
Item No. 39 Court No. 1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 223/2025
(IA No. 377/2026)
News item titled "यह भी अजब करोड़ के बने नाले में भरा मलबा अगल बगल से ननकल रहा
पानी" Appearing in Dainik Bhaskar dated 25.04.2025
Date of hearing: 18.05.2026
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE DR. AFROZ AHMAD, EXPERT MEMBER
Respondents: Ms. Ankita Sharma & Ms. Ishika Neogi, Advs. with Mr. Devendra
Chauhan (Through VC), Additional Commissioner & Mr. Kamlesh
Shrivastava (Through VC), Superintending Engineer, Jabalpur Municipal
Corporation
Mr. Mridul Shukla, Adv. for MP SPCB (Through VC)
Ms. Rukhmini Bobde & Mr. Jatin Dhamija, Advs. for the State of Madhya
Pradesh
Mr. Balendu Shekhar & Ms. Tanisha Samanta, Advs. for CPCB (Through
VC)
ORDER
1. This original application has been registered suo motu on the basis of news item disclosing mis-managed drainage infrastructure in Jabalpur.
2. Order of the Tribunal dated 27.10.2025 points out the issues relating to discharge of sewage- sullage into drains, encroachments, and obstruction in flow due to built-up pier. Tribunal had accordingly sought response from Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC).
3. In compliance of the above order, Additional Commissioner, JMC has filed the affidavit on 28.04.2026 (page 214). It has been admitted that, in absence of dedicated sewerage system, overflow from Septic tanks along with sullage/kitchen waste water from households, has been finding its way into nearby storm water drains.
4. We have examined the above affidavit and we find that; 1
(i) The six reported storm water drains (Omti, Moti, Shah, Khandari, Urdana and Karonda) are carrying 174.0 MLD of sewage- sullage and out of this 76.5 MLD is diverted to STPs directly or via sewer connection and remaining 97.5 MLD is let out in recipient environment.
(ii) Initially, 18 encroachments were identified on Miti drain and these are removed. Further, 22 encroachments have been identified on Moti and Khandari drains and necessary steps are taken to remove them.
(iii) It has been disclosed that entire city and 55 per-urban villages will be sewered in next three years. Presently, 97,030 households are connected to sewers and 76.5 STPs of sewage is being treated in 12 STPs.
(iv) Affidavit of JMC has referred the report of RO, Jabalpur Division stating that, State PWD has taken required measures to avoid obstruction of flow and made bypass drain and other measures taken relating to maintenance of drains include; regular cleaning, developing non-motorized transport pathways and beautification works.
5. We find that, all the six drains are carrying high pollution load in terms of BOD ranging from 66.0 to 150.0 mg/l. The values of Fecal Coliform are not disclosed.
6. The Status report presents overall dismal picture. Short term and long terms action extending to three years would require interim solutions also and therefore, we direct the following action and compliance status be filed before next date of hearing;
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i) Quantities of sewage exclusively carried to STPs after having existing connectivity with sewers and the quantity of sewage diverted from the six drains should be disclosed.
ii) Location of twelve STPs with their installed capacities and extent of capacity utilisation, should be disclosed. Performance of STPs with reference to values of Fecal Coliform, final disposal locations of treated sewage and CTO conditions, should also be disclosed.
iii) Water quality of rivers, water bodies particularly, from upstream and downstream, for last one year (including FC), should be disclosed.
iv) Quantity of sewage- sullage flowing in existing primary, second, and tertiary drains with quality, quantities and their confluence, should be disclosed.
v) The cleaning / de-silting schedule of drains and handling of silt, temporary storage, de-watering and final disposal should be disclosed. Aesthetic, beautification and plantation in demarcated buffer area (if identified), should also be disclosed.
vi) JMC with concerned Department shall regularly monitor and ensure that no encroachments takes place again and flow of drains is not obstructed by any activity. We also direct that, JMC will disclose others sources discharging affluents into the drains (wash waters from auto-servicing, Dairies, Commercial washing activities, etc) and progressive reduction of flow in drains on account of increasing sewer discharge and connectivity as well as other measures, except rainy - monsoon period. 3
7. List on 13.07.2026.
Prakash Shrivastava, CP Dr. Afroz Ahmad, EM May 18, 2026 Original Application No. 223/2025 (IA No. 377/2026) P 4