scorecardresearch
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Support Our Journalism
HomeReportAnti-pollution steps: HC, NGT pull up Delhi govt for shoddy job

Anti-pollution steps: HC, NGT pull up Delhi govt for shoddy job

Follow Us :
Text Size:

NGT says Delhi government has ‘made a mess of the city’; court asks it to take urgent measures, including sprinkling of water on roads to check dust pollution.

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court and the National Green Tribunal Thursday slammed the Delhi government for what it said was its lack of preparation to deal with the hazardous levels of air pollution in the capital.

An HC bench comprising justices S. Ravindra Bhat and Sanjeev Sachdeva directed the government to take urgent measures, including sprinkling of water on roads and open spaces to check dust pollution. The court also ordered that all construction activities be stopped immediately in Delhi-NCR. Similarly, digging and repair of roads must be completed within two months from now in the city.

The court directed the Union environment ministry to hold a meeting with chief secretaries of neighbouring states of Rajasthan, Punjab, UP and Haryana, along with pollution control agencies of these states within three days to chalk out a solution to air pollution.

NGT also pulled up the Delhi government, saying it has “made a mess of the city”. It ordered the government to start sprinkling of water either with the help of helicopters or fire engines in each district of Delhi. It has mandated cleaning of roads on a regular basis and also asked the government to stop transportation of construction material in the city.

The tribunal ordered that all civil constructions be stopped forthwith until the next date of hearing. The NGT, however, said that the daily wages of labourers involved in construction should not be stopped and the agencies responsible need to continue paying the workers.

The NGT also directed seizing of vehicles that are more than 15 (for petrol) and 10 years old (for diesel). The tribunal also stressed on the prohibition of waste burning and crop residue burning in the NCR.

The next hearing in the NGT is due on 14th November.

Subscribe to our channels on YouTube, Telegram & WhatsApp

Support Our Journalism

India needs fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. ThePrint – with exceptional reporters, columnists and editors – is doing just that.

Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.

Whether you live in India or overseas, you can take a paid subscription by clicking here.

Support Our Journalism

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular