14 steel units in Wazirpur will be shut down, govt assures NGT

The Delhi government has assured the National Green Tribunal that steps are being taken for closure of 14 steel pickling industries in Wazirpur here which are operating without permission and not complying with mandatory pollution standards.
A bench headed by judicial member P Jyothimani took note of the submissions made by the city government and recalled the bailable warrant issued against the Chief Secretary.
The city government also told the tribunal that notice has been issued to 14 industries giving them time to shut down their operations.
"In view of the statement made..., the bailable warrant issued against the Chief Secretary of the Govt of NCT, Delhi dated May 26, 2015 stands recalled, making it clear that the said undertaking shall be scrupulously followed...," the bench said.

The green panel had earlier issued bailable warrant against the Delhi chief secretary for failure of officials to appear before it.
The bench was hearing a plea filed by NGO All India Lokadhikar Sangthan's seeking execution of an order by which the green panel had directed Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take action against stainless steel pickling industries.

The NGO had contended that 14 industries have not yet taken due consent of the DPCC but are continuing their activities.
The tribunal had issued notice to the Delhi government and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to respond before it regarding the implementation of the closure orders issued to the stainless steel pickling industries.

Steel pickling is the process of removing impurities, such as stains and inorganic contaminants from the metal.
On April 30, taking note of an NGO's plea, the tribunal has directed Central Pollution Control Board to inspect stainless steel pickling industries in Wazirpur.
It had also directed DPCC to inform it about the status of these industries regarding extraction of water and whether they had obtained permission for abstracting ground water from Central Ground Water Authority.