Debris near trees: Rs 60k fine on CPWD

NEW DELHI: Irked by violations of the Delhi high court order, the Delhi forest department has imposed a fine of Rs 60,000 on the Central Public Works Departmen (CPWD), which is in-charge of carrying out the redevelopment project at Thyagraj Nagar.
The fine was imposed recently after a site inspection had taken place at both Thyagraj Nagar and Netaji Nagar with both construction sites found to be dumping debris around the trees. In their complaint activists had alleged that these debris were damaging the trees and even uprooting several of them.

Following site inspections, forest officials said notices have been issues to both CPWD and National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) — the parties responsible for carrying out work at these sites. “Both parties were asked to respond to these inspections and present their version. We also documented the damage done to the trees owing to the debris and both agencies have now responded,” said a senior forest official.

The forest department said they imposed a fine of Rs 60,000 on CPWD, which is currently working on Thyagraj Nagar after trees were found to be in poor condition, while one of the trees was also found uprooted.

“We had submitted pictures to the forest department before the inspection and the evidence was taken into account. Post inspection, both sites have been cleaned up considerably and we are glad that action is being taken,” said Prerna Prasad, a green activist and member of the group Citizens4Trees.

According to the forest department, another inspection is likely to be carried out on both sites and further action may also be taken based on that. “We will check how much debris has been cleared to ensure no other violations take place under the Delhi Tree Preservation Act,” said a senior official.