Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding restaurants/hotels/motels/banquets illegally operating in Mahipalpur and Rajokri, Delhi, 08/07/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Westend Green Farms Society Vs Union of India & Others dated 08/07/2019 regarding restaurants/hotels/motels/banquets illegally operating in Mahipalpur and Rajokri, Delhi. Violation of law on the subjects of waste management, discharge of effluents, illegal ground water extraction, ground water contamination, emission by illegally operating diesel generators, absence of statutory consents under the Water Act 1974, Air Act 1981 and violation of conditions of consent was found.
A compliance report filed by the Delhi Government was found lacking in many areas by the NGT like noise regulatory mechanism, compliance of Solild Waste Management Rules 2016, illegal withdrawal of groundwater, rainwater harvesting, policy for regulating the size of gathering, parking facilities, unauthorized constructions and others.
The NGT in its Order said that "the policy for enforcement of environment norms for places in a densely populated city like Delhi where social gathering takes place, is necessary on account of there already being high level of air pollution. The Policy making on such vital issue is expected to be in the light of Expert Studies based on air and water samples of the area, and with the involvement of experts in environment, urban planning or other relevant subjects." The Court while accepting the request of the Delhi government for more time to take remedial action, directed for the forfeiture of Rs. 5 crores which was furnished by Delhi government to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as performance guarantee, for its failure to comply with the directions of the Tribunal.