Nine of 37 Delhi STPs fail to meet norms or are non-operational: DPCC

HT reported that after two decades and more than ₹2,454 crore invested in the Delhi Jal Board’s flagship Interceptor Sewage Project (ISP), a Centre-ordered inspection found the project stopped only about 60% of the sewage volume claimed to have been halted. DJB claimed 238 MGD halted, but only around 142 MGD had actually been halted, with over 117 MGD of untreated waste still flowing into the Yamuna from drains declared 'completed'.

The March STP functioning report, dated April 13, shows nine of 37 STPs either non-operational or not meeting water treatment parameters. Seven STPs failed to meet prescribed standards, while two were non-operational and undergoing rehabilitation. The Ghitorni, Vasant Kunj-I, and Delhi Gate (Old) STPs fared worst, failing on all four parameters (faecal coliform, BOD, COD, and TSS). Vasant Kunj-II, Yamuna Vihar Ph-I, Yamuna Vihar Ph-III, and Mehrauli STPs failed on three parameters (TSS, BOD, and faecal coliform).

The DPCC-issued Yamuna water quality report for March showed faecal coliform peaking at 400,000 MPN per 100 ml and biological oxygen demand (BOD) at 60 mg/l, indicating worsening pollution in March relative to February. Faecal coliform peaks included Mehrauli at 28,000 MPN/100 ml (about 121 times the 230 MPN/100 ml standard) and Ghitorni at 17,000 MPN/100 ml. The report notes the river remained more polluted in March than in February.

DPCC informed the National Green Tribunal that it had imposed environmental compensation of ₹2.89 crore on 15 STPs for failing to meet prescribed standards between July and October 2025.

DPCC data for February showed that 14 out of 37 STPs were either non-operational or not meeting prescribed water treatment parameters.