NGT Unleashes Scrutiny: Why Has Delhi's 'River of Shame' — The Najafgarh Drain — Not Been Restored?

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has once again put the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in the hot seat, demanding a clear explanation for the prolonged failure to restore the heavily polluted Najafgarh drain. Often described as Delhi's 'river of shame,' this crucial waterway continues to fester, receiving an astonishing 60% of the capital's untreated sewage, and significantly contributing to the degradation of the sacred Yamuna River.

In a recent hearing, the NGT expressed profound dissatisfaction with an affidavit submitted by the MoEFCC.

The tribunal found the ministry's response lacking in concrete details, highlighting a glaring absence of 'actual, physical steps' taken towards restoration. This isn't a new issue; the NGT had issued specific directives in 2018 and 2020, explicitly instructing authorities to treat the Najafgarh drain as a 'river' and initiate comprehensive restoration efforts.

Yet, progress remains elusive, replaced instead by what appears to be bureaucratic inertia.

The bench, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr. A. Senthil Vel, underscored the gravity of the situation. They pointed out that while committees might be formed, and reports drafted, the on-ground reality of the drain remains grim.

The continuous discharge of pollutants into the drain not only poisons local ecosystems but also feeds directly into the Yamuna, exacerbating the already severe pollution crisis facing one of India's most revered rivers.

The NGT's persistent questioning aims to pierce through the layers of official paperwork and demand tangible results.

The responsibility for the drain's revival is complex, spanning across Delhi and Haryana, as the waterway originates in Haryana and flows into Delhi. This trans-state nature necessitates coordinated efforts, a challenge that the tribunal believes the MoEFCC, as the central environmental authority, must actively facilitate and oversee.

The upcoming hearing on December 13 is anticipated to be another critical juncture.

The NGT is not merely seeking explanations; it is demanding accountability and a clear roadmap for the immediate and effective restoration of the Najafgarh drain. The court's unwavering stance sends a strong message: environmental degradation of this magnitude cannot be met with passive observation or procedural delays.

The time for concrete action, to reclaim this vital waterway from the clutches of pollution, is long overdue.