Green panel goes tough on Najafgarh drain basin buildings

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Friday issued notice to the environment ministry and several environment groups in Delhi for failing to curb construction in the Najafgarh drain basin.

Questioning the over 70 environment clearances given to builders who have projects in the basin, the tribunal said the state was defying the Jan 13, 2010 notification of the environment ministry barring construction in the area.

"The central environment ministry has declared that the Delhi state environment impact authority shall not even consider giving environment clearances to builders who have their projects at the basin," said the complainant in an application filed in the NGT.

Besides the environment ministry, notice have been issued to the Central Pollution Control Board, the Delhi government, Delhi State Level Expert Appraisal Committee, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the Delhi Police chief.

"Police have been notified to assist in raids against these builders," it said further.

The next hearing of the case has been slated for Feb 5.