NGT notices to DMRC, NHAI and PWD for pollution

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to certain infrastructure agencies that were named by the ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) in its affidavit on Friday that they were causing pollution. The tribunal has asked them why punitive action should not be initiated against their topmost officials for flouting norms.

"The counsel for MoEF filed an affidavit stating that National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and PWD are carrying out projects causing huge damage on Delhi-Faridabad (Mathura) road and violating every direction issued by the tribunal. Photographs have been annexed where hot mixing plants are operating on the roadside without any protection," the NGT bench headed by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar stated.

"Construction material is lying on the roads and there is no protection on site to stop the dust from flying in the air. It is further stated that hot mixing plants are emitting volatile organic compounds, smoke, black carbon, fine pollution particles which are very injurious to health," the bench said.

The tribunal also asked these authorities to explain why they should not be directed to pay environmental compensation or fine as per Section 15 of NGT Act, 2010.

The ministry's affidavit stated that DMRC was creating utter mess on the roads and not restoring them once barricades were removed from construction sites. It also stated pollution levels were high in some areas due to laxity on part of DMRC and IP Extension society.

"NHAI is constructing a road from Delhi to Agra just beyond the Haryana border along NH-2 leading to pollution from dust and disrupting movement of traffic. Dangerous mounds of earth lie along the busy road and deep pits have created a potential hazard for traffic," the MoEFCC said in its affidavit.