Delhi Jal Board Hires IIT Delhi for Rs 17.7 Lakh Audit of 29 Sewage Treatment Plants
The Delhi Jal Board has awarded a Rs 17.7 lakh contract to IIT Delhi to independently evaluate the performance of all 29 sewage treatment plants across New Delhi. The initiative aims to ensure scientific scrutiny of the capital's sewage treatment infrastructure and prevent untreated or inadequately treated sewage from polluting the Yamuna river.
According to an affidavit filed before the National Green Tribunal on June 30, the Delhi Jal Board engaged the academic institution on June 5 for a comprehensive performance evaluation and adequacy assessment. The formal work order for the audit had been issued earlier on April 29, following a review meeting chaired by the Union Home Minister in December 2025.
The environmental audit was initiated after the National Green Tribunal took suo motu cognisance of a media report published on February 19, 2024, titled "Why 75% of Delhi’s STPs aren’t ready to tackle Yamuna stink". The report flagged that a majority of the capital's sewage treatment plants were failing to meet prescribed standards, raising serious concerns over the discharge of inadequately treated sewage and the lack of proper disinfection provisions.
To address these concerns, the tribunal directed the Delhi Jal Board to enrol IIT Delhi to independently examine the plants. Specifically, researchers will test whether the ultraviolet disinfection systems installed across the 29 sewage treatment plants are capable of successfully eliminating faecal coliform bacteria to meet the prescribed environmental standards before the treated water reaches the Yamuna.
The project previously faced delays. In December 2025, IIT Delhi informed the tribunal that the study was delayed because the institute had not received timely access to the treatment plants and necessary operational data. Following these complaints, the Delhi Jal Board assured the tribunal that a dedicated nodal officer would be designated to facilitate immediate access to the facilities.
IIT Delhi has been directed to submit its final assessment report within 15 days of completing the water sampling at the respective sewage treatment plants.
