The National Green Tribunal has summoned the Municipal Commissioner of Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam and asked him to be present before it on March 12 following non-compliance of orders pertaining to the restoration of a rainwater drain in Ghaziabad.
August 2018 order
Noting that authorities had not complied with an August 2018 order, it has directed the civic body to restore the rainwater drain within four weeks.
A Bench headed by NGT judicial member Justice Raghuvendra S. Rahore said, “Issue notice to the Commissioner for his appearance in person before the Tribunal. He is also directed to be well-prepared about the compliance of order dated August 3, 2018, along with the record.”
Lapse of time
The directions came when the green panel was hearing an execution application moved by petitioner K.P. Singh and others that alleged that authorities had not complied with the orders despite a significant lapse of time.
The petitioner had sought directions to authorities to ensure sewer drains are not connected to rainwater drains.
In August last, the NGT had said, “…We grant four weeks time to the respondents if any work is required to be done and to restore the rain water drain to its original forms. No obstacle or hindrance should remain in the flow of water.”
“It shall be the responsibility of Municipal Commissioner, Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam to ensure that the suggestions given by the [court] commissioner are carried out within time and he shall also file a report of compliance to the Tribunal by September 2018.”