The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday imposed an interim stay on construction activities in Qutab Golf Course in south Delhi where five artificial lakes are being built allegedly by concretisation of pits.
A Bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim restrained the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) from carrying out any activity, after it failed to file its reply on an NGO’s plea alleging that the artificial lakes would hinder recharge of ground water in Lado Sarai.
‘Not sustainable’
The direction of the green panel, which fixed the matter for hearing on August 8, came during the hearing of a plea by NGO CHETNA seeking a stay on the construction and asking the DDA to place on record the source of water that is intended to be used for the lakes.
The NGO claimed that due to insufficient rainfall in Delhi, the artificial water bodies would not be sustainable. It added that “the stagnation of water in the lakes would lead to breeding of mosquitoes, which in turn would lead to dengue, chikungunya and malaria”.
The NGO requested the NGT to order an immediate stop to the “ill-conceived project and criminal waste of public money”.
Advocates Arun Monga and Divya Sharma, appearing for the NGO, sought a stay on the construction while stating that the DDA had not filed its reply despite ample opportunities. They claimed that the construction of the artificial lakes was going on in full swing and was being undertaken despite the matter being sub-judice.