The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday (February 9, 2026) expressed strong displeasure over the discharge of untreated sewage and dirty water from factories into the Ganga river and its tributaries in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. In this matter, NGT has issued a notice to all the concerned agencies including the government of Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh and sought answers.
31 out of total 76 drains of Varanasi and Chandauli were not tapped.
NGT has termed storm water drains and illegal tapping of Assi, a tributary of Ganga, as a violation of environmental laws. During the tribunal hearing, the State Action Plan of the Uttar Pradesh government revealed that a total of 76 drains in Varanasi and Chandauli districts fall into the Ganga and Varuna rivers. Of these, 31 drains have not yet been completely tapped, due to which a large amount of untreated sewage is reaching the rivers directly.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) also found that Assi, a tributary of Ganga in Varanasi, has been tapped treating it as a drain, which is in direct violation of the Ganga River (Rejuvenation, Conservation and Management) Authority Order, 2016.
Speed ​​of sewer connectivity slow in Varanasi, NGT expressed concern
During this time, NGT has also expressed concern over the slow progress of the sewer connectivity project of Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh. It is noteworthy that in only Varanasi district of UP, the campaign to connect 4.14 lakh houses to the sewer network has been launched by the Yogi government, but till now only 1.56 lakh houses out of 4.14 lakh houses have been connected to the sewer network. NGT has directed the state government to give a clear deadline for 100 percent sewer connectivity.
Apart from this, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said that the next important hearing in this case will be held on April 21, 2026.
