How 29km Badshapur drain gets polluted

Gurgaon: The civic authorities have identified 26 points on the last stretch of Badshapur drain — from Vatika Chowk to Gadoli village — where sewage is being released into the drain.
These points were spotted after Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), MCG, irrigation department, HSVP, GMDA and HSIIDC carried out an extensive survey of the drain.
“A joint team of officials from GMDA, HSVP, MCG, irrigation department and HSPCB conducted the survey on the leg-III of Badshapur drain on July 16 and July 17. The team has identified a few points where domestic effluents are being released into the drain…” states a letter — a copy of which is with TOI — sent by HSPCB to MCG, HSVP and HSIIDC. The pollution board had discussed the issue with GMDA during a meeting last week.
HSPCB has also directed officials to take appropriate actions immediately to stop discharge of sewage into the city’s main stormwater drain. “Complying with the directions of NGT, we have informed all civic authorities about the points where discharge is being released into the drain. We have instructed them to take an immediate action and submit an action-taken report to us,” said an official of HSPCB.
The survey was carried out after NGT directions in two cases — Manoj Mishra vs. Union of India for Yamuna action plan and Vaishali Rana Chandra vs. Union of India against cementing of Badshapur drain and for protection of floodplains.
“It is shocking. The authorities could identify these spots only now. The discharge of sewage into the Badshahpur drain has been going on for years. We have been sending complaints to the authorities along with photographic evidences. Sewage is being diverted into the drain illegally, destroying the entire ecosystem. The authorities are allowing violators to mix precious rainwater with sewage and diverting it to Najafgarh via the cemented drain. This leads to severe pollution of Yamuna as water from Najafgarh drain ultimately flows down to the river,” said Vaishali Rana Chandra, an environmentalist and petitioner.
The 29-km drain and its tributaries cover most of the city, and thus help in slowing down the rapid flow of stormwater during monsoon. The Badshapur drain also acts as a major groundwater recharge zone.