Rejecting allegations of environmental damage to Purana Qila lake, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has permitted its revival by laying impermeable plastic lining on its bed.
Taking into account a report submitted by experts from IIT-Roorkee, a Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said, “There may be different opinions on the subject but once an informed decision has been taken on expert advice for use of impermeable plastic lining, we find [it] difficult to direct rejection of that opinion.”
The tribunal had earlier directed NBCC to submit a report on whether the plastic lining being used should be removed.
The green panel’s observation came following a petition that contended the study was “not sound”. The plea filed by city resident R.K. Gupta had alleged that the impermeable plastic lining put on the bed of the lake by NBCC and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will prevent groundwater recharge.
The plea added that concretisation of the lake will also prove to be detrimental to the waterbody.
“By their act, the two agencies have eliminated recharge through the bed of the lake causing grave environmental damage. The project as conceived and being implemented has adverse impacts on the environment, contrary to the ecosystem of the lake,” the plea had read.