Untreated household wastewater, encroachment polluting Jaffarpur Kalan pond: DPCC

New Delhi: Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has found encroachment around a pond in Jaffarpur Kalan village in south-west Delhi during an inspection conducted earlier this month.

In its report to National Green Tribunal (NGT), DPCC said wastewater from kitchens and bathrooms of nearby residential houses — excluding sewage — was being discharged directly into the pond through small drains from all sides without any treatment, resulting in water stagnation and mosquito breeding. DPCC said it has asked the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to take action in the matter.

The tribunal is hearing a petition filed by a local resident, Jitendra, who alleged pollution and encroachment of the village pond. The plea also claimed that sewage and garbage were being dumped in the waterbody and that mud was being illegally discharged into it.

Following the NGT’s directions, DPCC officials conducted a site inspection on May 12 and reported that the pond covers around 500 square metres. “As informed by locals, the pond has existed for a long time. However, parts of its surrounding area have reportedly been encroached upon due to the construction of residential houses by nearby inhabitants,” the report said.

“The pond located inside the village is connected through an underground pipeline to another waterbody situated outside the village at a distance of 300 metres. Whenever the connecting underground line gets clogged, the water level in the village rises significantly. Locals reported that during the monsoon season, the pond overflows and water reaches nearby residential houses, causing inconvenience and potential health risk to the surrounding population,” said the report. It added that DPCC has asked DJB and DDA to submit an action taken report in the matter.