Construction debris: NGT slams DMRC, others for shifting onus

The National Green Tribunal today rapped the Delhi Metro and civic authorities for shifting responsibility from one to the other over removal of construction debris in the national capital.
"You remove the junk and finish it off. You are public bodies and it's your duty to do it. Who does it, how is it done and whom you consult is your concern," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar told Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), municipalities and agencies like the DDA and PWD.
The green panel, while monitoring implementation of the Yamuna revitalisation project-2017, warned them not to blame each other and get the work done immediately.

The Tribunal's observation came after DMRC expressed helpnessness in removing the rubble near Yamuna bank as Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had cordoned off the area.
Regarding debris near Lalita Park, the DMRC counsel said the material was municipal waste which belonged to East Delhi Municipal Corporation and it was the responsibility of the corporation and Public Works Department (PWD) to remove it.
The green panel, after perusing some photographs, had directed DMRC to remove all debris and other construction material from Mayur Vihar to Sarai Kale Khan stretch and places like Lalita Park and near old Pontoon Road.
Cracking the whip on those polluting Yamuna, NGT had earlier passed a slew of directions including a fine of Rs 5,000 on individuals throwing waste or religious items in the river.

It had also banned dumping of construction material into the Yamuna while imposing a fine of Rs 50,000 on violators and restrained real estate developers from carrying out any construction work on the floodplains under its "Maily se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Plan 2017".