NGT issues notices on plea for action against slum dwellers

A former legislator has moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) alleging that “illegal” residents of a slum were causing air pollution and has sought action against them.

A Bench headed by Acting NGT Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim issued notices to the Aam Aadmi Party government, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, District Magistrate (East) and unnamed persons living in the slums of east Delhi’s Dallupura village.

By July 13

The NGT asked them to file their replies by July 13.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by former AAP MLA Vinod Kumar Binny. The plea alleged that persons living in slum clusters were burning wires to extract copper during midnight hours, leading to air pollution.

“During the intervening nights of May 23 to 24, their activities led to an accidental fire resulting in huge loss and damage to property, and degradation of the environment, resulting in air pollution,” the plea said.

The plea has sought constitution of a team of independent experts to visit areas in the vicinity of the settlement to assess the situation, and to measure pollution and its impact on the health of residents. Mr. Binny, in his plea filed through advocate Rahul Raj Malik, has sought eviction of illegal residents from the settlements in the area who are causing air pollution by burning wires and waste material.