In early 2018, a group of residents noticed large amounts of sewage water flowing into a stormwater drain near their residential area in Noida. The stormwater drain, meant to ensure that excess rainwater was directed into the Yamuna rather than flooding the area, was being severely polluted, causing numerous health issues to local people and adversely affecting their quality of life. Despite the fact that the Water Pollution Control Act prohibits sewage from being discharged into water bodies like lakes and rivers, the same was taking place unchecked and unreported.
Led by a public-spirited citizen, Abhisht Gupta, the residents took up the issue with the CEO of the Noida Authority. They were told that the matter was apparently “beyond the official capacity of Noida Authority” to address and that they were free to approach the courts.
The residents first petitioned the National Human Rights Commission, leading to notices being issued to the government. However, the matter remained unaddressed. They then approached the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) only to be disappointed yet again as nothing came out of that approach either. This is quite concerning as the CPCB is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, whose primary objectives are to monitor, control and promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the country through the implementation of environmental standards and regulations.
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