In early 2018, a group of residents noticed large amounts of sewage water flowing into a stormwater drain near their residential area in Noida. The stormwater drain, meant to ensure that excess rainwater was directed into the Yamuna rather than flooding the area, was being severely polluted, causing numerous health issues to local people and adversely affecting their quality of life. Despite the fact that the Water Pollution Control Act prohibits sewage from being discharged into water bodies like lakes and rivers, the same was taking place unchecked and unreported.
Led by a public-spirited citizen, Abhisht Gupta, the residents took up the issue with the CEO of the Noida Authority. They were told that the matter was apparently “beyond the official capacity of Noida Authority” to address and that they were free to approach the courts.