Civic bodies pumping toxins in the blood of people: HC

The Delhi High Court today came down heavily on civic agencies for "pumping toxins" in the blood of people in the national capital by letting "black drains" merge in Yamuna.
A bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul said the Delhi government and civic bodies, including MCD and Delhi Jal Board (DJB), have failed to come up with any feasible plans to tackle with the problem of water-logging.
"Rivers are like arteries. Instead of blood, you are pumping toxins in the body of people. You will not be able to put a civilisation next to these rivers. How long will you take to frame the master plan for drainage in capital?

"Drains are black in colour. Is there any programme to clean toxins before they reach rivers? Why don't you call it a drain river in place of Ganga or Yamuna," the bench asked.
Irked by the absence of DJB officials, the high court also directed them along with other officials concerned to be present in the court on November 19, the next date of hearing.
During the hour-long hearing, the bench was informed by the counsel for MCD that a committee under Prof A K Gosain of IIT Delhi was already looking into the issues of water-logging and the different aspects of drainage in the capital.

"Parallel proceeding related to drainage is also going on in National Green Tribunal. A committee under Prof A K Gosain of IIT Delhi is examining into the issues of water logging," the counsel for MCD said.

On this, the bench directed Gosain to be personally present in the court and inform it about the current status of the study on drainage in the capital.
"We direct all the officers of DJB to be present on next date of hearing and in case nobody is here, CEO of DJB shall be personally present in court," the court said.
The court's observation came while perusing certain photographs which were placed before it by a South Delhi resident alleging dumping of building debris and toxic material by Public Works Department.