Kullu: Nearly Rs 5 crore in environmental compensation imposed on government agencies for polluting rivers in Himachal Pradesh remains unpaid, the state pollution control board has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The board had directed three major bodies to pay a combined Rs 8.48 crore after 31 sewage treatment plants (STPs) under them failed to meet environmental norms between 2022 and 2025.
Breakdown of Compensation
The breakdown included Rs 4.37 crore for the Jal Shakti Vibhag, Rs 3.79 crore for Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL), and Rs 30.54 lakh for the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). However, only the Jal Shakti Vibhag has made a partial payment, depositing Rs 3.46 crore so far.
Timeline of Fines
A total of 26 STPs had been fined in 2025, three in 2024, and two in 2022. The highest penalty of Rs 95.62 lakh was imposed against Lalpani STP in Shimla on April 27, 2024. The board launched recovery proceedings on September 27, 2025.
Water Quality Improvements
While the state board reported some water quality improvements in polluted stretches due to recent crackdowns on non-compliant STPs, the NGT is awaiting an independent assessment. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has collected water samples from Ashwani Khad and other compromised river stretches. The CPCB told the tribunal that sample analysis is underway, and it will soon submit a report comparing its findings with the state's data.
Infrastructure Delays
Meanwhile, an affidavit filed by the chief secretary revealed that 25.66 km of the sewer network under the Jal Shakti Vibhag is still waiting to be connected to six STPs. The state blamed these delays on land acquisition issues, funding constraints, and pending clearances from the railway and highway authorities. Appearing before the tribunal, the engineer-in-chief of the Jal Shakti Vibhag assured that the remaining network would be completed by December. The NGT has directed the department to file a fresh progress report before the next hearing on September 1.
Suo Motu Cognisance
Taking suo motu cognisance of the issue, the tribunal had directed the government to clean up nine heavily polluted rivulets: Ashwani Khad, Giri, Markanda, Pabbar, Ratta, Shikari Khad, Baald, Sarsa, and Sukhna Khad.
NGT Rejects BBMB Stay Plea
The NGT has rejected a plea by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) seeking a stay on the state board's environmental compensation orders from July to September 2025. The tribunal observed that the orders are legally appealable and must be challenged before the appropriate appellate authority rather than through a stay petition. The SJPNL has also moved the Himachal Pradesh High Court for setting aside the pollution board order of imposing environmental compensation against it.
