NEW DELHI, Mar 3: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Central Public Works Department have been directed by National Green Tribunal to explain why they are dumping debris on the banks of Yamuna despite its order banning such activity.
A NGT bench headed by Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued show cause notices to DMRC, CPWD and the Department of Horticulture, New Delhi, after the court commissioners appointed by the tribunal in their report said fresh debris were being dumped on the river’s banks by these agencies.
“It has also been pointed out that DMRC is throwing debris in the river bed of Yamuna. It is brought to our notice and, in fact, it is a public known fact that the CPWD as well as the Horticulture Department also throws different kinds of debris, including the construction material, on the river banks of Yamuna through various contractors. This certainly needs to be stopped.
“Notice shall issue to the Managing Director of DMRC, Director General of CPWD and Director of Horticulture Department, New Delhi. The notice shall issue, without process fee, requiring these authorities to show cause, as to why are they throwing debris on the river bank of Yamuna,” the bench, also comprising judicial member Justice P Jyothimani, said.
The tribunal has also directed the Commissioner of Police, New Delhi and the DGP of Uttar Pradesh to ensure that no vehicles enter the area and dump debris.
It also ordered police to not only stop the vehicles carrying rubble to be dumped there, but to also “seize” them.
“Police shall not only stop such vehicles but seize such vehicles in accordance with law. However, only vehicles carrying the debris from river bank to outside sites would be permitted by police (to enter the area),” the order said.
The commissioners appointed by the NGT had submitted in their report that only work of removal of debris was going on only at one site. They also said that “even fresh debris are being thrown at different places on the river bank”.
Their report further said that “trucks were entering into the Yamuna from different places where the wall was found punctured despite the fact that there are police posts”.
The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by one Manoj Mishra, who has opposed the dumping of rubble on the banks of Yamuna. Earlier on January 31, the tribunal had banned dumping of debris, including solid waste, on the river’s banks and directed the governments of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to remove the rubble immediately.
The NGT had issued the direction concerned over the “serious threat” of water pollution of Yamuna and change of its course due to the dumping of rubble. (PTI)
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