NGT issues notice to Delhi government, Environment Ministry over chemical spill at Tughlaqabad

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal ( NGT) on Monday issued a notice to Delhi government, the ministry of environment and forests and Delhi Pollution Control Committee over the chemical spill at Tughlaqabad container depot that led to over 450 schoolchildren being hospitalised.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar also issued a show cause to Container Corporation of India ( CONCOR) on why its unit Delhi’s Tughlaqabad should not be shifted.

The green panel has appointed advocate Sanjay Upadhayay as amicus curiae in the matter. He had earlier filed a plea that the Tughlaqabad depot be shifted to another place as it adds to the worsening air quality in the national capital. Some lawyers had informed the bench about Saturday’s gas spill after the tribunal took suo motu note of the matter.

At least 450 girl students of the Rani Jhansi School and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, run by the city administration, had to be hospitalised on Saturday after toxic fumes spread due to the chemical leakage. Most students were discharged after a few hours but a few were kept under observation in ICUs.