NGT notice to Centre, UP on construction of Haj House in Ghaziabad

A Haj house to facilitate pilgrims in Ghaziabad was being built in violation of laws as it fell on the floodplains of river Hindon, a plea before the green panel has said.

Taking note of the plea, a National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench headed by the NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar on Friday issued notices to Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), the Uttar Pradesh government, its Irrigation Department, state pollution control board, UP Haj House Committee and others on a plea seeking demolition of the Aala Hazrat Haj House.

The green panel said any construction would be subject to the final outcome of the proceedings on the plea.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Ghaziabad residents and a non-governmental organization, Society for protection of Environment and Biodiversity, claiming that land where the Haj house was being constructed was recorded as 'Hindon River' in the revenue records of Village Arthala in District Ghaziabad.

According to the plea, filed through advocates Ritwick Dutta and Rahul Choudhary, the construction of Haj house was in complete violation of the directions of the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to all authorities including police to ensure that no construction of any kind is allowed on the floodplain.

It has also referred to the 2013 NGT order which had taken note of the several illegal construction on the floodplains and passed a restraining order against any illegal construction of temporary or permanent nature on floodplains of Yamuna and Hindon.

Located at the Arthala village near Hindon river, the Ghaziabad Haj House is an under-construction seven-storey building.

Offering a capacity of 2,500 pilgrims at a time like the Lucknow Haj house, Ghaziabad Haj house will have arrangements for foreign exchange, immigration, medical aid and other amenities for the pilgrims. A separate administrative block is also being constructed.