Submit report on plastic burning in 2 weeks: National Green Tribunal to Delhi government

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi government to submit within two weeks a status report on burning of leather and plastic in the scrap markets of Mundka and Tikri Kalan in West Delhi.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also ordered the city government, North Delhi Municipal Corporation ( NDMC), Delhi Pollution Control Committee ( DPCC) and police authorities to inspect the sites.

The matter was fixed for next hearing on November 24. "We direct the Delhi government, NDMC, DPCC and police authorities to inspect and submit the status report positively within two weeks...," the bench said.

It also imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on the three departments. The tribunal's order came after two city residents Satish Kumar and Mahavir Singh placed photographs before it showing that NDMC and the police were not taking effective steps to control the menace of plastic waste and burning of plastic waste.

The Tribunal had in December last year banned "unregulated open burning" of plastic, rubber or such other articles across the country.

The plea had alleged that burning of plastic and leather had not stopped despite a 2010 Delhi High Court order prohibiting such activities.