Archive · 19 Aug 2026
NGT Orders Kshipra Rejuvenation, Stops Untreated Sewage Discharge
The National Green Tribunal wants the Kshipra River in Ujjain to become cleaner.
It ordered the city and district officials to stop untreated sewage from entering the river.
Ujjain currently produces about 85 million litres of sewage each day.
That amount could rise to nearly 350 million litres during Simhastha 2028.
Tests found pollution levels higher than the standard for bathing water.
Three drains were still sending untreated or contaminated water into the river.
Officials must improve sewage-treatment plants and inspect pollution-control measures every 15 days.
They must also remove waste from river areas and clear certain encroachments.
The tribunal said protecting the Kshipra is important for both the environment and Ujjain’s religious and cultural heritage.
The National Green Tribunal directed Ujjain authorities to stop untreated sewage and wastewater entering the Kshipra River or other water bodies.
The tribunal ordered inspections every 15 days and environmental compensation and punitive action for violations.
Ujjain generates about 85 MLD of sewage, with volumes projected to reach nearly 350 MLD during Simhastha Mahaparv-2028.
Kshipra water samples recorded BOD levels of 8-12 mg/L, exceeding the bathing-water standard of 3 mg/L.
The NGT ordered sewage-treatment upgrades, drain interception, waste removal, encroachment clearance and a public complaint system.
- Who
- The National Green Tribunal directed the Ujjain Municipal Corporation, the Ujjain Collector and the State Pollution Control Board to act.
- What
- The tribunal ordered measures to stop untreated sewage discharge and protect, rejuvenate and ecologically restore the Kshipra River.
- When
- The order was passed on August 17; the directions also address preparations for Simhastha Mahaparv-2028.
- Where
- Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, including the Kshipra River and surrounding drains, ghats and water bodies.
- Why
- The order responds to pollution concerns, including excessive BOD levels and continued discharge from some drains, while protecting the river’s environmental, religious and cultural importance.
- Current sewage generation
- Approximately 85 MLD in Ujjain.
- Projected sewage generation
- Nearly 350 MLD during Simhastha Mahaparv-2028.
- BOD readings
- Kshipra samples recorded BOD levels of 8-12 mg/L, compared with the prescribed bathing-water standard of 3 mg/L.
- Polluted river classification
- The Kshipra was identified by the Central Pollution Control Board as a Priority III polluted river stretch based on its 2022-2023 assessment.
- Drain status
- Eleven of 14 drains were reportedly tapped, while Piliyakhal, Hatkeshwar and Bhairavgarh continued discharging untreated or contaminated wastewater.
- Inspection schedule
- The State Pollution Control Board must conduct inspections at 15-day intervals.
- Encroachment deadline
- Encroachments on water bodies and public land in the Simhastha area must be removed within 30 days.