Delhi, UP police should prevent dumping of waste into Yamuna river: National Green Tribunal

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday asked Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police to deploy adequate staff to prevent dumping of waste and debris into Yamuna river.


A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also directed departments concerned in two states to ensure that rubble lying at two points in the river bed be removed by October 28, the next date of hearing on the issue.

NGT issued the directions after local commissioners appointed by it to inspect the river said in their report that at two places-Geeta Colony and near Yamuna Bank Metro Station- debris has not been removed and no guards or police personnel were deployed at the various checkposts along the river.

"Local commissioners have pointed out that at two places- one in Geeta Colony and other near Yamuna Bank Metro Station- debris is still found lying which has not been removed. It is also reported that near Geeta Colony river bed, debris is intended to be pushed into the water body rather than being removed.

"We direct all concerned authorities, particularly DDA, UP irrigation department, Delhi irrigation department as well as all concerned departments to ensure this debris be removed positively before the next date of hearing.

"Local commissioners also pointed out that police and guards were not found on duty... and there are breaches in the protective walls. The director general of police of UP and commissioner of Delhi Police are directed to ensure adequate staff for deployment to ensure there is no dumping of waste on the river bed of Yamuna," the bench said.

It also directed the panel constituted by the environment ministry to speed up filing of its report on restoration, preservation and beautification of Yamuna and asked the authorities to cooperate with the committee to allow it to prepare its findings expeditiously.