Even eight days after the National Green Tribunal (Central Zone) issued clear directions, the Sewage Treatment Plants at Umaghat (Gwarighat), Lalpur, Gulaua Talab and Ranital Talab are yet to become fully operational. Citing continued non compliance, the petitioners have filed a fresh application before the NGT seeking urgent intervention. In its order dated January 28, the Tribunal had directed that the closed STPs be started immediately without any delay. However, the petition states that the plants are either still shut or functioning far below their full capacity and are not meeting prescribed water quality standards. The petitioners have sought constitution of an inquiry committee, recovery of environmental compensation from those responsible and departmental action against erring officials. The fresh petition has been filed by Dr P G Najpande and Rajat Bhargava.

 

Advocate Yadav Prabhat, appearing for the petitioners, stated that non operation or under-capacity functioning of the Lalpur STP on the banks of the Narmada has created a serious drinking water crisis for lakhs of residents of Jabalpur. He added that thousands of pilgrims and visitors arrive daily at Umaghat (Gwarighat) and the continued shutdown of the STP poses a direct threat to public health. The petition further stated that the closure of the STP connected to Gulaua Talab has led to large scale fish mortality due to critically low dissolved oxygen levels, indicating severe ecological damage. Ranital Talab, a historic water body built during the reign of Rani Durgavati, is also being polluted due to the inflow of untreated sewage.

 

The applicants have informed the Tribunal that a written complaint was submitted to all concerned authorities on January 22, 2026, but no effective action was taken. Despite the Tribunal having already recorded in its earlier order that the STPs were non operational and directing their immediate start, the situation remains unchanged. The petition seeks urgent directions for operationalisation of the STPs, prevention of untreated sewage discharge, restoration of affected water bodies and fixing accountability of responsible officials.