Delhi High Court Pushes Faster Sewage-Treatment Expansion as Yamuna Pollution Remains Under Scrutiny

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed agencies to accelerate measures addressing untreated sewage, inadequate drainage and pollution entering the Yamuna, while reviewing the status of sewage-treatment infrastructure across the capital

The Court recorded that 28 existing STPs with a combined capacity of 735 MGD are operating at the prescribed 10/10 treatment parameters. Nine additional operational STPs require upgrades, with their improvement schedules extending between December 2027 and May 2028.

The Delhi Jal Board also informed the Court that 28 of 29 decentralised STPs planned for outer Delhi have been awarded, representing a combined 170 MGD. Another 13 proposed decentralised STPs with 328 MGD of capacity are at the DPR stage, with their reports submitted to the National Mission for Clean Ganga for examination. These 328 MGD facilities are proposed capacity and should not be included in Delhi's existing operational treatment capacity.

DJB reported total existing sewage-treatment capacity of 814.26 MGD as of 24 August 2026 and has indicated a target of increasing capacity to 1,041.10 MGD by 31 December 2027. A further gap assessment covering about 132 MGD is also under way.

The Court also highlighted the risk of treated wastewater being mixed again with untreated sewage after leaving treatment facilities. It directed that dedicated drainage arrangements for treated effluent should receive priority in both existing and proposed projects.

The proceedings reinforce the importance of coordinating treatment capacity with interception systems, drainage networks and treated-water conveyance. The matter is scheduled for further consideration on 25 September 2026.