Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, or EPCA,
has warned authorities of dire consequences if they fail to tackle the
menace of highly toxic sludge in drains.
The issue was brought up at the United Residents’ Joint Action (URJA)
seminar held yesterday at the convention centre of New Delhi Municipal Council.
Dr Bhure Lal, EPCA chairman, said, “Sludge in the city drains has
crossed permissible limits. The authorities need to take immediate
action on this serious issue. The toxic gases emitted from rotting
sludge is severely impacting the quality of breathable air. The EPCA has
been raising this issue for the last 10 years now.” Delhi Local News
He added, “In 2007, our team submitted a detailed report on this
issue to both the Centre and the state government, recommending an
immediate solution. We had also spoken of a new mechanism to remove
faecal sludge. It has been 10 years since we submitted our report, but
agencies continue to use old methods to remove sludge from water and
septic drains.” Delhi Society News
To exemplify his point, Dr Lal cited the death of four sanitation
workers just last week — they died from inhaling toxic gases while
cleaning a septic tank in South Delhi. “You can well imagine how
life-threatening these toxic gases can be! Sludge can kill. That’s why I
say sewage must be treated before being released in drains.” apartment management system
