India, Jan. 14 -- The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi has taken suo motu cognisance of the reports that highlighted sewage contamination in drinking water across parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, terming the issue a serious environmental and public health concern.

The tribunal initiated proceedings based on two media reports which highlighted widespread contamination of drinking water in several cities of Rajasthan, and sewage mixing with drinking water in Greater Noida, which allegedly led to several residents falling ill.

The reports from Rajasthan pointed to ageing and corroded water supply infrastructure, resulting in sewage water entering drinking water pipelines. Cities includi...