GREATER NOIDA, Dec. 24 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, Greater Noida authority, and Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to jointly ensure 100% sewer connections in villages falling under Greater Noida area, after flagging continued discharge of untreated sewage into open land, roads and storm water drains. Hearing the original application alleging large-scale sewage discharge in villages under Greater Noida authority's jurisdiction, on December 15, a bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel noted that untreated sewage was being discharged in several villages of Greater Noida, necessitating coordinated action by the authorities. During proceedings, Greater Noida authority (GNIDA) submitted stated that out of 124 villages notified for Greater Noida, sewer connectivity issues needed to be examined in 115 villages. Senior counsel appearing for the Authority submitted that the Authority "doesn't have any policing power and there is open violation of norms by some residents but action cannot be taken." The bench said, "We find that joint effort is required by DM, Gautam Budh Nagar, GNIDA and UPPCB, we form a joint committee comprising of the representative of UPPCB, some higher officer appointed by the CEO, GNIDA and DM...The joint committee will take all possible steps permissible in law to ensure 100% sewer connection is provided to households in villages concerned."...