The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday came down heavily on the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) for granting permission to a petrol pump in a green belt area in violation of the master plan.
A Bench headed by NGT judicial member Raghuvendra S. Rathore said, “How can you give permission to a petrol pump in green belt? You have given no objection certificate under what law, we want to know? Give us a provision in the law and let us see how you granted the permission.”
The Bench further added, “These activities have repercussions on the environment. Tomorrow every authority will give permission on this matter. You have to take care that environment is protected else there would be no green area in the future.”
Alleges violation
The directions came while the green panel was hearing a plea filed by city resident Kamal, who alleged that a petrol pump had been granted permission to operate in violation of the Ghaziabad Master Plan-2021. The petitioner had also alleged that running of the petrol pump in a green belt area will have adverse environmental impacts. During the hearing, the GDA sought time to provide the exact provision in the law, based on which the permission was granted.
Following the request made by the counsel, the Bench adjourned the matter to February 12.