The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken up the problem of stagnant wastewater and waterlogging in Kirari, in northwest Delhi, and has asked two agencies to answer for it. The order, dated October 13, 2026, was made available on October 16.
The case turns on a basic question: in an unauthorised colony, which agency maintains the drains?
What the Tribunal Did
The NGT acted on its own (suo motu) after a newspaper report on the area's condition. The bench was headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, with expert member Afroz Ahmad.
- Order date: October 13, 2026
- Issue: stagnant wastewater and waterlogging in Kirari
- New respondents: the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FCD) and the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC)
- Direction: both must file replies before the next hearing
- Next hearing: February 5 (presumably 2027)
No separate deadline for filing replies was given beyond the hearing date, and the case number was not reported.
Where the Problem Is
The affected area is Sharma Colony in Kirari. In its reply affidavit of August 11, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) said waterlogging occurs in and around Sharma Colony, particularly during the monsoon season.
Who Maintains the Drains?
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) told the tribunal that Kirari is an unauthorised colony, and that the I&FCD and DSIIDC maintain the area. That is why the tribunal brought both agencies in.
Why this matters
In unauthorised colonies, drainage ownership is often split across several bodies. When water stagnates, each agency can point to another. Making all parties respondents puts them on record in one proceeding.
Why Stagnant Wastewater Is More Than a Nuisance
Standing sewage-laden water is an environmental and health issue. In general terms, it can:
- Breed mosquitoes and spread vector-borne disease
- Seep into groundwater and shallow handpumps
- Produce odour and damage roads and foundations
- Mix with stormwater and carry contamination into nearby drains
These are general consequences of stagnant wastewater, not findings from this case.
Practical Fixes for Low-Lying Colonies
- Clear and desilt drains before the monsoon, not after
- Separate sewage and stormwater lines where possible
- Fix slopes and outfalls so water has somewhere to go
- Use decentralised treatment where a trunk sewer is not available; a compact wastewater treatment plant can treat local flows before discharge
What to Watch Next
Both agencies must now file their positions. The February hearing will show whether responsibility is accepted or contested, and whether the tribunal orders time-bound action.
