NGT fines DUSIB Rs 50,000 for failing to provide details of sewage discharge from JJ clusters

The National Green Tribunal has imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) for failing to comply with its order to provide details of sewage discharge from the JJ clusters (slum clusters).

This is the second instance in which the green body has taken punitive action against the board.

Earlier, in March this year, the NGT fined DUSIB Rs 25,000 for failing to place on record the full particulars of the sewage discharge from JJ clusters.

In an order dated May 21, the NGT bench, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel, said the DUSIB had still not filed its response providing the full particulars of the sewage discharge.

It noted that slum clusters are the major source of untreated sewage being discharged into the stormwater drains.

''The tribunal in the proceedings dated March 24, 2026, had taken note of the issue of not filing the reply by the DUSIB in spite of the repeated opportunities and had imposed the cost of Rs 25,000,'' the bench said.

''In spite of the above orders, the DUSIB has shown its noncooperative attitude and is not filing the reply within time, which unnecessarily results in delay in the proceedings. Hence, we impose a cost of Rs. 50,000 upon DUSIB for such conduct,'' it added.

During the proceedings, the bench noted that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) cannot be held liable for the continued untreated sewage discharge, as it is the DUSIB's responsibility to identify, develop and provide a technically feasible consolidated discharge point.

The bench recalled the DJB's reply that its obligation commences only after sewage from the concerned JJ clusters is properly collected, channelised and brought to a single discharge point capable of being connected with the existing sewerage network.

The bench agreed with the DJB's reply that, in the absence of such foundational infrastructure by DUSIB, the water agency cannot connect multiple scattered and unregulated sewage outfalls directly into the sewerage network.

During the hearing, DJB's counsel had said that the Jal Board sent a letter to DUSIB on May 8 to provide single discharge point of untreated sewage from JJ clusters so that it could proceed with their work, but to no avail.

''Since the untreated sewage is being discharged from the JJ clusters into the stormwater drains, which is not permissible, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), therefore, is directed to examine the issue of discharge of untreated sewage from the JJ clusters and levy of environmental compensation in accordance with law,'' the bench said.

The bench directed the DPCC and DJB to file their further affidavits within eight weeks, and posted the matter for further hearing on June 8.

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