Deconcretisation of trees: NGT pulls up agencies for creating

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today expressed its displeasure over the manner in which the civic agencies were carrying out deconcretisation of trees and and ordered that the cement being dug out be removed and ditches filled.
"Where ever you are removing the concrete, you are just dumping the debris right there.
"These are engineers. They are qualified people. How can they behave like this? You dig out the concrete and you leave it there to deposit. You leave open the ditches for people to break their heads. It is easier to handle children than you," NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said.

The NGT gave a stern direction that the concrete so dug out from around the trees is removed from the site and the dicthes so created are filled in.
"Please take care that the same department may dig, remove and fill...," he added.
The bench also expressed its disquiet after looking at the pictures showing the deconcretisation work being carried out at a colony in Dilshad Garden here.

"Just look at the pictures. All the concrete is lying right there.
"Per compulsion, one has to go into the ditch because it has been dug and concrete thrown on the other side. There is no passage for people to pass," it said.

The Tribunal warned the authorities concerned to ensure that they dig out the concrete and the concrete so dug out is also removed and and ditch is filled properly.
The NGT had earlier directed authorities like DDA, MCD, Forest Department and PWD to work together and complete by September 19 deconcretisation of trees in the city without damaging them.
The Tribunal had directed each of the authorities to undertake deconcretisation of trees in any three colonies, to give the work the highest priority and to file an affidavit informing the bench about the progress.
The NGT passed the directions on a petition filed by Aditya Prasad.

The petition had sought deconcretisation of trees saying concretisation is proving to be an imminent threat to the survivability of trees in Delhi and is leading to their choking.