The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday banned all protests and dharnas around the historic Jantar Mantar area, which has been a hotspot of many agitations over the past decades, saying such activities violate environmental laws.
The green panel added that the Delhi government had “failed” to protect the right to a pollution-free environment of the citizens living in the area, which is located near Connaught Place in the heart of the city.
It said it was the duty of the authorities to ensure that the rights of the people to a peaceful and comfortable life are not infringed by those who create noise pollution while exercising their right to freedom of speech and expression, “which can never be unlimited”.
Ramlila Grounds
A Bench headed by Justice R. S. Rathore directed the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to remove all temporary structures, loud speakers and public address systems from the stretch of the Jantar Mantar Road. The municipal body was also directed to remove the garbage lying in the area and clean it within four weeks.
The Tribunal has directed the authorities to shift the protesters, agitators and people holding dharnas to alternative site at the Ramlila Grounds in Ajmeri Gate “forthwith”.
The NGT’s verdict came on a plea filed by Varun Seth and others alleging that processions and agitations held by social groups, political parties, NGOs at the Jantar Mantar Road were a major source of noise pollution in the area.
“It is amply clear that the petitioners are suffering because of gross violation of laws, air pollution and health hazards due to lack of cleanliness and non- performance of duty by the authorities,” the Bench noted.
The NGT ordered the NDMC chairman, the city Police Commissioner and the Delhi government to file compliance reports within five weeks.
“The locality has completely changed. One finds people bathing, washing their clothes under Delhi Jal Board tankers. People are seen defecating in the open, on pavements, which creates an unhygienic situation along the stretch,” the Bench noted.
“There are protesters who have, in the name of cow protection, been bringing cows along with bullock carts on the stretch of road, which aggravates the problem being faced by the residents,” added the Bench.