The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has criticized Uttarakhand authorities for failing to provide evidence of adequate sewage treatment facilities in the pilgrimage town of Badrinath. 

The tribunal was addressing concerns over the inadequacy of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Badrinath, which has led to untreated sewage being discharged into the Ganga River.

In an order dated November 13, NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that while the state's Urban Development Secretary attended the hearing virtually, no substantial evidence was presented to support the claim of sufficient sewage treatment infrastructure in the area.

"Only an oral attempt has been made to make such an assumption," said the bench also comprising judicial members Justices Arun Kumar Tyagi & Sudhir Agarwal, & expert member Afroz Ahmad.

The tribunal has directed the concerned authorities to provide comprehensive details regarding sewage management in Badrinath, particularly during peak pilgrimage periods. 

The authorities have been asked to submit data on the daily sewage generation during the highest footfall of pilgrims, the number and capacity of drains carrying sewage to the treatment plants, and the quantity of untreated sewage discharged into the Ganga River. Additionally, the tribunal has sought information on the capacity utilization of the existing sewage treatment plants (STPs) and sample analysis reports of the treated discharge from these STPs.

"Authorities are also required to disclose the method & manner in which the generation of the sewage is calculated," the tribunal said.

The NGT also expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of the state's Environment Secretary, who failed to appear before the tribunal during the proceedings.The NGT also expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of the state's Environment Secretary, who failed to appear before the tribunal during the proceedings.

"The secretary has not appeared virtually today & in compliance with the previous order. There is also no application file on his behalf seeking an exemption from virtual appearance & when the matter was taken up today, only a casual oral request was made stating that he is held up in some other work," the tribunal observed.

It directed the officer to remain present on the next date of hearing on March 4.