NGT orders inspection of NBCC project in South Delhi
NGT had earlier cracked the whip on the National Buildings Construction Corporation for pollution & environmental degradation.
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal has directed a surprise inspection at the redevelopment project being carried out by state-run National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) at East Kidwai Nagar in southwest Delhi.
A bench headed by NGT chief justice Swatanter Kumar asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and a representative of the ministry of environment and forests to conduct a joint inspection at the site and submit a report.
It also asked the team to apprise it whether the NBCC has planted trees and created permanent barriers around its redevelopment project or not.
“We direct the CPCB, DPCC and a representative of the ministry of environment and forests to conduct a surprise inspection at the project of NBCC and report to the tribunal as to whether the directions contained in our order dated July 26, 2016, have been complied with in its entirety and are being effectively enforced at the site in question.”
“As far as environmental compensation of Rs 10 lakh is concerned, the same has become final by the Supreme Court and as already stated by the NBCC that it has been paid. The report to be submitted by the joint inspection team shall be listed as a separate original application by the registry,” the bench said.
The directions came during hearing of a plea by South Delhi resident K.S. Gahunia who has alleged that the NBCC, the project proponent, in the garb of redevelopment is destroying roads, “illegally” erecting barricades on the roads and causing air pollution.
The NGT had earlier cracked the whip on the NBCC for causing air pollution and environmental degradation while slapping an environment compensation of Rs 10 lakh on it.
The green panel had slammed the NBCC and its officers for release of pollutants into the air while carrying out construction work and causing “nuisance” on the roads in the sensitive area where two biggest hospitals — All-India Institute of Medical Sciences and Safdarjung Hospital.