The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed authorities to take "expeditious action" to complete the desilting of drains, including Barapullah, Kushak and Sunehri Pul, in Delhi.

Observing that silt removed from a drain is kept by its side and flows back into it when it rains, the tribunal directed the authorities to take steps to remove it.

The green body, which was hearing a matter related to the discharge of effluent via drains into the Yamuna river and issues related to it, including establishment of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and desilting and dredging of drains, also imposed a Rs 20,000 fine on the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for filing a late reply on the matter.

On August 13, the tribunal while considering the desilting of drains, had sought a response from the DJB within two weeks. In its order passed on September 4,

a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel noted that the DJB had filed its report belatedly and this obstructed proceedings.

"It will be open to the competent authority of the DJB to find out the official responsible for causing the delay in filing the report and recover the cost from him," the bench said.Regarding the desilting of drains, the tribunal said, "

Expeditious action is required to be taken to complete the process of desilting. Undisputedly, the silt removed from the drain is kept by the side of the drain at some locations which on account of rains flows back to the drain.