Following a complaint by local residents, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), directed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), in January found that a local pond called Machli Talab in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi had turned into a pool filled with sewage and wastewater.

On inspection by the DPCC, a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at the site was found to be non-functional with no logbook maintained at the site.

Thus, wastewater from a drain carrying sewage from an adjacent locality had polluted the pond.

DPCC then directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in a letter on March 29 to take corrective measures and send a treated effluent analysis report.

Pollution of surface water bodies acts as a reservoir of pollutants and numerous microorganisms, posing a significant threat to the health of the community.