Disposed

Gundutt Sharma vs

NGT8 Jul 2026Original Application No. 71/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The national green tribunal disposed of an application regarding stagnant toxic drainage water in agricultural fields in Meerut. It directed authorities to complete a 1300-metre pucca drain within six months and ensure wastewater treatment before discharge.

What did the court decide?

Direction to complete a 1300-metre drain within six months; direction to treat wastewater before discharge and utilize treated effluent for agriculture.

Gundutt Sharma vs — Environment and Pollution | NGT (2026)

¶1

Court No. 2

¶2

Item No.04

¶3

BEFORE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI

¶4

Original Application No. 71/2026

Gundutt Sharma

Applicant

Versus

State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors.

¶9

Respondents

¶10

Date of hearing: 08.07.2026

¶11

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR TYAGI, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON’BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER

¶12

Applicant: None for the applicant.

¶13

Respondents: Mr. Bhanwar Pal Singh Jadon, Mr. Shivansh Sharma and Ms. Aditi Bhardwaj, Advocates for respondents no. 1 to 4 and 6 to 8. Mr. Pradeep Misra and Mr. Daleep Dhyani, Advocate for UPPCB.

¶14

ORDER

¶15

Mr. Gundutt Sharma has sent the present undated letter petition (pages no. 1-9 of the paper book) on public grievance portal of this Tribunal on 30.08.2025, which has been treated and registered as Original Application (O.A.) No. 71/2026 for exercise of suo moto jurisdiction in view of law laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court in Municipal Corporation of

¶16

Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors., (2022) 13 SCC 401 .

¶17

The applicant has raised grievances regarding discharge of waste and toxic drainage water in the agricultural fields causing damage to environment. The relevant part of the O.A. enumerating grievances of the applicant is reproduced as follows:-

¶18

xxx……………….……………………………..xxx………………..………………………xxx

¶19

"विषय - रसूलपुर धौलडी ब्लाक जानी जजला मेरठ से अिैध गन्दे ि जहरीले पानी से पयाािरण ि वकसानो की खेती तथा क्षेत्रिाजसयो को बचाने हेतु प्राथाना पत्र मान्यिर,

¶20

वनिेदन यह है वक मैं गुणदत्त शमाा s/o श्री श्याम जसिंह शमाा वनिासी ग्राम डौलचा जजला बागपत का मूल वनिासी हूँ। मैं सभी वकसान ि क्षेत्रिाजसयोिं की तरफ से आपको अिगत कराना चाहता

¶21

¶22

हूँ हमारी जोत बुिाई की खेती ग्रा० रसूलपुर धौलडी ब्लाक जानी जेला मेरठ में है। जजसमें ग्राम प्रधान रसूलपुर धौलडी ने अपने ग्राम की 90% वनकासी का पानी एक अधूरा नाला बनिाकर खेतोिं के बीच में छोड़ वदया है इस पानी की वनकासी खेतोिं से अलािा कही भी नहीिं है ग्राम में लगभग 50 डेयरी चल रही है जजसका गिंदा ि जहरीला पानी आस-पास ि खेतोिं में खड़े िृक्षोिं ि फसल को चार साल से नष्ट कर रहा है इस पानी में कचरा ि पशुओिं के अिशेष बहकर चारोिं तरफ गन्दगी फैला रहे हैं जजससे पयाािरण में गन्दगी ि मच्छर पैदा हो रहे है जजस आस-पाल पास के गां (जखेडा, मतौ डौलचा) आवद के लोग बीमाररयोिं के जशकार हो रहे है। इस सन्दभा ि में मुख्य मिंत्री पोर्ाल पर भी तीन बार जशकायत की जा चुकी है जजसकी सन्दभा सिंख्या वनम्न है 40013925002511,40013825023166, 10013825031037 है। 14 जनिरी 2025 को SDM सदर मेरठ ि जजला पिंचायत अध्यक्ष मेरठ भी दौरा कर चुके लेवकन इन सबसे सबने आश्वासन ही वदया कोई कायािाही नहीिं की जबवक इस पानी से तीन जजले मेरठ, गा० बाद ि बागपत प्रभावित है यवद शासन चाहता तो इसका वनस्तार आसानी से मतौर मागा से बराबर में नाला बनिाते हुए पहले ही बने नाले (जो लगभग 1300 मी है) में उस पानी को डालकर वकसानोिं ि क्षेत्रिाजसयो को होने िाली हावन ि बीमारी से बचाया जा सकता है। मैं यहा की यथा स्थिवत के कुछ फोर्ो आपको भेज रहा हूँ।

¶23

अतः मान्यिर से अनुरोध है वक इस जवर्ल समस्या को अपने सिंज्ञान में लेकर पयाािरण ि वकसान तथा क्षेत्रिाजसयोिं को इस समस्या से छुर्कारा वदलिाने का कष्ट करे हम सब आपके आभारी रहेंगे।"

¶24

English translation made by the Registry of this Tribunal of the

¶25

relevant part of the complaint reads as under:-

¶26

“Subject: Petition for Protection of Environment, Crops, and Health of Farmers and Local Residents from the Harmful and Toxic Drainage Water in Rasulpur Dhaudi Block Jani, District Meerut. Respected Sir,

¶27

I, Gundutt Sharma, s/o Shri Shyam Singh Sharma, a native of village Daulcha, district Baghpat, would like to inform you on behalf of all the farmers and residents of the area that our agricultural land is located in village Rasulpur Dhaudi, Block Jani, District Meerut.

¶28

The village head of Rasulpur Dhaudi has constructed an incomplete drain for water disposal, which has resulted in approximately 90% of the village's drainage water being released into the agricultural fields. The drainage of this water has no outlet other than the fields. There are around 50 dairies in the village, and the waste from these dairies, which is toxic and polluted, is contaminating the fields, crops, and trees. This contaminated water has been ruining the crops and trees for the last four years. It also carries waste and animal remains, spreading filth all around, which has led to the growth of mosquitoes and other pests, causing widespread diseases in nearby villages (like Jakhda, Matou Daulcha, etc.). The villagers are suffering from various health issues due to this environmental hazard. We have already lodged complaints on the Chief Minister's portal three times, with reference numbers: 40013925002511, 40013825023166 and 10013825031037. On 14th January 2025, the SDM of Sadar Meerut and the District Panchayat

¶29

¶30

President of Meerut visited the area, but all they did was provide assurances without any concrete action being taken. This polluted water is affecting three districts-Meerut, Ghaziabad, and Baghpat. If the authorities wish, this issue could have been resolved easily by constructing a parallel drain from the Matour road into the existing drain (approximately 1300 meters long), which would protect farmers, local residents, and the environment from further damage. I am sending some photographs showing the current situation for your reference. Therefore, I kindly request that you take appropriate action in addressing this critical issue and help protect the environment, the farmers, and the local community from further harm. We will be highly grateful for your intervention.”

¶31

Vide order dated 06.02.2026, this Tribunal impleaded State of Uttar Pradesh through Principal Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of U.P.; District Magistrate, Baghpat; Chief Development Officer, Baghpat; Gram Panchayat, Rasulpur Dhaudi through Gram Pradhan and Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) through Member Secretary as respondents no. 1 to 5 and ordered issuance of notices to them requiring filing of their responses.

¶32

Vide order dated 10.04.2026, District Magistrate, Meerut; Chief Developmental Officer, Meerut and Zilla Panchayat, Meerut through its Chief Executive Officer were impleaded as respondents no. 6, 7 and 8 and notices were ordered to be issued to them requiring filing of their responses.

¶33

Pursuant to notice, response dated 08.04.2026 (pages no. 10-23 of the paper book) has been filed by Respondent no.5-Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board. The relevant part of the reply is reproduced as under:-

¶34

“4. That the U.P. Pollution Control Board has inspected the village Rasoolpur, Dhokadi, Block Jani, District Meerut on 23.02.2026 and 17.03.2026. It has been found that from the abadi of the said village the sewage which is generated, is discharged through a pucca drain constructed by the Gram Panchayat for some distance and thereafter it is flowing through kachcha drain in the North-West direction outside the village. After about 700 meters it is stagnating in the agricultural field and it is possible that during the rainy reason it may go to Hindon river which is 600 meters.

¶35

5. That there is no facility of treatment of this domestic waste in the village. There are some dairies in the village and its sewage is also discharge in the said drain.

¶36

¶37

6. That in the South-West of Mantor road, at a distance of about 950 to 1000 meters storm water drain is flowing which after crossing Mantor road, meets river Hindon after about 150 meters.

¶38

7. That the sample of the effluent has been collected by the Regional Office and on analysis the pollutants have been found as SS-2124 mg/l, BOD-524 mg/l, COD-1432 mg/l, Total Coliform-270000 MPN/100ml, Fecal Coliform-170000 MPN/100 ml which is not as per the norms.

¶39

8. That there is no provision for treatment of domestic waste discharged from the village. True copy of inspection report dated 28.03.2026 in respect of inspection done on 17.03.2026 is being enclosed herewith and marked as Annexure-1.

¶40

9. That the photographs taken during inspection on 23.02.2026 are enclosed as Annexure-2.

¶41

A copy of letter dated 11.03.2026 issued by the U.P. Pollution Control Board to Block Development Officer, Block Jani, District Meerut is being enclosed herewith and marked as Annexure-3.

¶42

10. That it is very humbly submitted that in the present case response on behalf of District Magistrate, Meerut and Chief Development Officer, Meerut is necessary as his village is in District Meerut and not in Baghpat.”

¶43

7. As per the waste water analysis carried out by PCB, the water has got high load of fecal and total coliforms.

¶44

Brief response dated 01.07.2026 (pages no. 46-54 of the paper book) has been filed by respondent no. 6-District Magistrate, Meerut. In his reply, District Magistrate, Meerut has mentioned that vide Letter No. 95/G/OA71/2026/MRT/2026 dated 24.04.2026, he directed the Chief Development Officer, Meerut, Apar Mukhya Adhikari, Zila Panchayat, Meerut, and the Block Development Officer, Block Jani, Meerut to take necessary steps for treatment of the discharge from dairies and residential areas situated in Village Rasulpur Dhauldi, to ensure that such discharge does not flow into the agricultural fields, and to ensure compliance with the directions of this Tribunal and the Chief Executive Officer, Zila Panchayat, Meerut, vide Letter No. 1080/ZP-Meerut/2026-27 dated 29.06.2026, informed that a 600 metre drain from Zaheer Haider's Bagh, Rasulpur Dhauldi, to MataurJakheda Road had previously been constructed by the Zila Panchayat, Meerut during the financial year 2021-22 for drainage of wastewater and an estimate amounting to Rs. 99.72 lakh has been prepared for

¶45

construction of the remaining 1300 metre pucca stretch of the drain,

¶46

¶47

extending from the end point of the existing drain up to the preexisting drain at Mataur Link Road . The Chief Executive Officer, Zila Panchayat, Meerut also informed that the proposal has been approved by the Zila Panchayat, Meerut, and an e-tender has been invited, which is scheduled to be opened on 09.07.2026 and that upon completion of the tender process, the construction work shall be completed within three months, thereby ensuring compliance with the directions of this Tribunal .

¶48

Reply dated 01.07.2026 (pages no. 32-45 of the paper book) has been filed by respondent no. 8-CEO Zila Panchayat, Meerut. In his reply, respondent no. 8-CEO Zila Panchayat, Meerut has submitted that the drain in question was proposed for drainage of dirty water in Village Rasulpur Dhauldi, Development Block Jani, District Meerut. Accordingly, the District Panchayat, Meerut undertook construction of the first pucca stretch of the drain, measuring 600 metres in length and 0.90 metres in width, from Jahir Haider's Bagh to Mataur-Zakhera Marg in the year 2021 and the construction of the aforesaid drain was approved in the meeting of the Zila Panchayat, Meerut held on 11.09.2020 to be carried out under the 15^th Finance Commission Tied Grant for the financial year 2020-21. The said work was executed at a cost of ₹44,59,673/-, and upon completion of the work, the Completion Certificate was issued by the Zila Panchayat, Meerut on 23.12.2021. 10. In his reply, respondent no. 8-CEO Zila Panchayat, Meerut has further submitted that in compliance with the directions of this Tribunal, the work for construction of the remaining 1300 metre pucca stretch of the drain, extending from the end point of the existing 600 metre stretch up to the pre-existing drain at Mataur Link Road, is proposed to be carried out under the 15th Finance Commission Tied Grant at an estimated cost of Rs. 99,72,000/-. The proposal was approved by the Zila Panchayat Board,

¶49

¶50

Meerut in its meeting held on 23.02.2026 and was thereafter approved by the Chairman, Zila Panchayat, Meerut on 28.03.2026. Further, vide Letter No. 1/90326 dated 04.04.2026, the proposal was forwarded to the Chief Engineer, District Panchayat Monitoring Cell, Panchayati Raj Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, for grant of Technical Sanction. Pursuant thereto, vide Office Letter No. 1076/Zila Panchayat Meerut/2026-27 dated 27.06.2026, an e-tender has been invited, which is scheduled to be opened on 09.07.2026. Upon completion of the tender process, the construction work shall be completed within three months, thereby facilitating proper drainage of wastewater and ensuring full compliance with directions of this Tribunal.

¶51

Brief response dated 01.07.2026 (pages no. 23-31 of the paper book) has been filed by respondent no. 7-Chief Development Officer, Meerut. In his response, respondent no. 7- Chief Development Officer, Meerut has reiterated the factual position as mentioned in the reply of CEO, Zila Panchayat Meerut referred to above.

¶52

In view of the submissions made in the responses filed by District Magistrate, Meerut and CEO Zila Panchayat, Meerut, the present Original Application is disposed of with the following directions:-

¶53

i. Respondents no. 6, 7 and 8 are directed to ensure that the work for construction of the remaining 1300 metre pucca stretch of the drain, extending from the end point of the existing 600 metre stretch up to the pre-existing drain at Mataur Link Road be completed within six months; and

¶54

ii. Respondents no. 6, 7 and 8 are directed to ensure that waste water is treated before discharge into the drain; the treated sewage along with the cattle waste and cattle waste water is utilized for agricultural purposes and no untreated sewage reaches Hindon river.

¶55

¶56

Compliance report may be filed by the District Magistrate, Meerut within one month after expiry of the period of six months before Registrar General of this Tribunal who may list the matter before the Bench for further directions, if further directions are considered to be necessary. 14. A copy of this order may be sent to the District Magistrate, Meerut, the Chief Development Officer, Meerut and Chief Executive Officer, Zila Panchayat Meerut by email for requisite compliance.

¶57

Arun Kumar Tyagi, JM

¶58

Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM

¶59

July 8^th , 2026 Original Application No. 71/2026 SN

¶60

Gundutt Sharma vs

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Gundutt Sharma vs

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

A compact analysis

Issues for consideration

Cases cited

Statutes considered

Parties & counsel

Coram

Case details

Similar cases

Thangavel vs Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board

Mrs M v Lakshmi vs Greater Chennai Corporation

Vandana Chavan vs Pune Municipal Corporation

Prem Prakash Thapliyal vs State of Uttarakhand

Pisati Indira Reddy vs Union of India

Mr Duvvur Reddy vs State of Andhra Pradesh Department of Environment Forest Science and Technology Rep by Its Secretary

News Item Titled T N Forest Minister Mathiventhan Criticised for Staying at Partially Closed Illegal Resort in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Appearing in the Hindu Dated 27 05 2024 vs Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change through Its Regional Office Deputy Director General of Forests

National Green Tribunal Southern Zone vs Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board

Misc Application in disposed of cases No. 140/2024 in Original Application No. 356/2022 of Babu Lal and Ors. vs

Babu Lal and Ors. vs

Misc Application in disposed of cases No. 60/2026 in Original Application No. 181/2026 of Dipendra Jain vs

Jatinder Singh Aulukh vs

Charan Singh vs

Resident Welfare Association Village Bhorgarh New Delhi vs Govt. of N.C.T. of Delhi