The Noida Authority has lodged an FIR against Amrapali Sapphire Housing Society for alleged violations of environmental norms and imposed a penalty of ₹73 lakh, following the discovery that the society’s sewage treatment plant (STP) was non-functional and untreated wastewater was being discharged into stormwater drains.
The action followed an inspection carried out on Saturday by a team from the Noida Authority’s water works department. Officials said the inspection revealed serious lapses in the operation of the STP installed within the residential complex, resulting in the release of untreated sewage into the drainage network.
According to the authority, the violations attract provisions under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, and the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and 2020.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
R.P. Singh, general manager and head of the water works department, said the STP was found to be non-operational during the inspection, which amounts to a breach of prescribed environmental standards. “Based on the findings, an FIR has been registered and a penalty has been imposed. The discharge of untreated sewage is also an offence under Section 272 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS),” Singh said.
The authority clarified that it is the responsibility of the Amrapali Sapphire Apartment Owners Association (AOA) to ensure proper treatment of wastewater before it is released into drains. Officials said the penalty was imposed as part of a special enforcement drive aimed at preventing the discharge of untreated effluents into stormwater drains, which ultimately flow into the Yamuna river system.
Responding to the action, AOA member Ajay Shukla said the inspection and penalty had been carried out, but added that the issue of infrastructure handover should also be considered. He said NBCC, which constructed the project, has not yet completed the formal and full transfer of facilities, creating operational challenges for residents.
Officials pointed out that under directions issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), all residential societies are mandated to install and operate functional sewage treatment systems to prevent environmental damage. The Noida Authority has been conducting regular inspections of housing societies since August 3, 2022, as part of a broader effort to curb pollution in the Yamuna river.
The authority said the enforcement drive would continue in the coming weeks, and societies found flouting environmental norms would face financial penalties as well as criminal action, where applicable. Officials emphasised that compliance with wastewater treatment norms is non-negotiable, particularly in densely populated urban areas where untreated discharge can have serious public health and ecological consequences.
Some residents, however, said that while enforcement is necessary, the authority should also work with AOAs to address technical and operational shortcomings in STP systems. They argued that sustained compliance would require not only penalties but also coordinated technical support to ensure that treatment facilities remain functional on a day-to-day basis.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
