LUCKNOW, Sept. 5 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised objections on the discharge of domestic and industrial waste into stormwater drains in Varanasi. It observed that these drains are meant only for rainwater, and connecting them directly to sewage treatment plants (STPs) could overload the facilities, especially during monsoon.

NGT chairman Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Ishwar Singh on August 29 directed the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to clarify how the issue will be addressed and to file a response within four weeks.

The case

The case pertains to the discharge of domestic sewage and untreated industrial effluents into the Ganga in Varanasi. During the hearing, counsel for the Uttar Pradesh gov...