The National Green Tribunal has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to form a committee and submit an action taken report by August 4 over the rise in pollution levels in the Ganga in Varanasi.

The NGT passed the order on a plea filed by Varanasi-based advocate Saurabh Tiwari against the rise in pollution levels in the Varuna and Assi rivers, both tributaries of the Ganga, caused by discharge of untreated sewage and unauthorised constructions.

“These two rivers are tributaries to the Ganga and cleaning of the Ganga cannot be imagined without first ensuring prevention of pollution of the said rivers… Water quality of river Ganga at Varanasi is in a bad condition. Faecal coliform bacteria count at the Varuna-Ganga confluence is 71 million per 100ml of water and faecal coliform count at Assi river and Ganga confluence is 52 million per 100ml of water. On Assi Ghat faecal coliform is 1,40,000 per 100ml of Gangajal. Permissible limit of faecal coliform bacteria should not exceed 500 per 100ml of water,” Tiwari’s application stated.

Tiwari had further said that there is concrete construction inside the Ganga water channel at Lalita Ghat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Varanasi MP, had conceived the plan to develop the river and its banks as a recreation and tourist spot.

The tribunal said: “Having regard to the seriousness of the allegations but without expressing any opinion thereon at this stage, we consider it appropriate to direct taking of remedial measures for restoration and rejuvenation of rivers Assi and Varuna by requiring the statutory authorities in the State of UP to perform their responsibility….”The tribunal also ordered the government to constitute an independent monitoring committee comprising central and state government experts, members of the National Mission for Clean Ganga and the Varanasi district magistrate.

“The committee may meet within two weeks and review the action plan on the subject in the light of the pre-existing action plans, if any, with such modifications as may be necessary. The committee will be at liberty to take assistance of any other expert/institution, including an agency dealing in rejuvenating works,” the NGT said.

“The report may cover status on water quality of Assi, Varuna, action taken on diversion and treatment of sewage, water quality of upstream and downstream of confluence of Assi and Varuna to river Ganga, demarcation of flood plain zones of Assi, Varuna and Ganga,” it added.