National Green Tribunal (NGT).
(IANS)
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), has directed the Delhi Environment Department (DEM) and other agencies to investigate the dumping of unauthorised vehicles carrying sewage on public roads in various parts of south Delhi. They also requested that a joint meeting be held with officials involved to discuss steps, including scientific disposal.
Justice (retd) Adarsh Kumar Goel was the NGT bench’s head. He pointed out that untreated waste of water is a criminal offense under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, which has seriously adverse effects on public and environmental health.
It directed the Secretaries to the Urban Development and Environment Departments of Delhi to meet with the Municipal Corporations and the Delhi Jal Board to determine the course of action in the matter. The complaint specified locations at Chandan Hola Main Road Bus Stand, Pulliya, Gadaipur Bandh Road and Vasant Kunj Farm House.
The bench also noted a similar complaint against Sangam Vihar. According to an order dated January 7th, 2011, a Joint Committee of Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Delhi Jal Board and SDM South was directed to Saket to provide an action taken review in the matter.
The DPCC had filed a report on August 17 stating that there was no waste disposal at the site.
The DJB has granted licenses to 208 entities to dispose off the waste at six designated disposal sites in the area. In its reply, the bench noted, however, that the authorities had not shown how the waste was being disposed of by the entities to which licenses were issued.
It is not clear if all the waste collected is being taken to the designated disposal sites.
The Wednesday order by the NGT stated that action is needed to ensure that faecal material gets to pre-identified faecal-sewage treatment plants, until connectivity to the sewer lines is achieved by concerned households making the necessary connections.
These incidents may occur in different locations so it is necessary to verify the DJB, DPCC and coordinate with the Municipal Corporations involved and local police. It said that the report may be provided within one month. The matter was placed on the tribunal’s agenda for further review on February 10, 2022.
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The article above was published from a wire source. There were no modifications to the headline or text.
