NGT issues notice to 3 States over contamination of water
ENVIRONMENT – POLLUTION
15 JANUARY 2026
- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of “serious health issues” of sewage contamination in drinking water reported in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, based on multiple news reports.
- The NGT’s principal Bench, comprising chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A. Senthil Vel, has issued notices to all three State governments and other agencies to file their affidavits on the matter, according to an official statement.
- “The news reports highlight alarming conditions where sewage water has mixed with drinking water pipelines due to corroded and decades-old infrastructure.
- The court observed that the issues raised involve “serious environmental and public health concerns” and prima facie indicate violations of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also been directed to file a response.
