NGT issues notice to NHAI, DMRC & PWD over construction activities

NEW DELHI: Taking note of the traffic chaos and pollution caused by construction activities of NHAI, DMRC and PWD,the National Green Tribunal today issued notices to them asking why "punitive action" should not be initiated against their senior most officials.

"The counsel for MoEF has filed an affidavit stating that National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and PWD are carrying out projects which are causing huge damage on Delhi-Faridabad (Mathura) and are violating each direction issued by the Tribunal. Photographs have been annexed where hot mixing plants are operating on roadside without any protection throughout Delhi.

"Construction material is lying on the roads and there is no protection on site to stop the construction dust flying in the air. It is further stated that hot mixing plants are emitting air organic compounds, smoke, black carbon shoot, sulphur oxide which are very injurious to human health. Issue notice to NHAI, DMRC and Public Works Department (PWD)," said a bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar.

The Tribunal also asked these authorities why "punitive action" against the senior most officials of these departments and officers in charge of these construction sites be not taken and they not be directed to pay environmental compensation in terms of Section 15 of NGT, Act, 2010.

The directions came after the counsel for MoEF told the bench that DMRC was creating utter mess on roads and it was not restoring the roads once barricades are removed from its construction sites.

"NHAI is constructing road from Delhi to Agra and the construction is ongoing just beyond the Delhi-Haryana border along NH-2 leading to pollution arising from dust and disrupted movement of traffic.

"Dangerous mounds of earth lie along the busy road and deep pits have created along the road creating a potential hazard for traffic," the MoEF said in its affidavit.

The Tribunal had last year directed that there shall be no hot mixing on the road side and all public authorities "during construction and maintenance of road, ensure that coal tar, bitumen and/or asphalt mix is brought in molten condition and the same is neither burnt nor fire is put to melt these substance on the open roads".