The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to submit an action taken report on illegal constructions in the Tughlakabad Extension area.
Following a report submitted by a committee comprising representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the SDMC, a Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel sought the action taken report from authorities.
“Let an action taken report be now furnished in respect of stopping of illegal activities, prosecuting the guilty and recovery of compensation for the damage caused to the environment which should be adequate to recover the cost of restoration as well as [be a] deterrent,” the Bench said.
‘No requisite clearance’
In the report submitted by the CPCB and SDMC, the committee said that the constructions present in unauthorised colonies do not have requisite clearances.
“Garbage, waste [and] filth were found scattered all around the entire colony creating very unhygienic conditions for living. Appropriate agencies may be directed for garbage collection and maintaining cleanliness in the area,” the report said.
The directions came when the green panel was hearing a plea moved by city resident Nanak Singh who alleged illegal constructions in the area were in violation of existing environmental norms.
The petitioner contended that the constructions in the Tughlakabad Extension area are hazardous to public health and environment.
The NGT Bench also noted that despite observations made by the committee, the DPCC and the SDMC had failed to take action against the said illegal constructions.