Dumping of construction items: NGT directs seizure of vehicles

The dumping of construction material on roads, a common sight across many places in the city, has drawn attention of the National Green Tribunal which has directed South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to confiscate vehicles carrying such items.
A bench headed by Justice P Jyothimani expressed concern over encroachments on Khaira Road in Najafgarh here and said such "hazardous activities" were causing nuisance on the road.
"In cases where the police as well as SDMC finds any person who is illegally dumping building material or any other waste material on the road, they shall immediately confiscate those vehicles whether they are tractors and trolley and appropriate and criminal action should be initiated in accordance with law," the bench said.

The Tribunal said in cases where building materials were illegally brought and dumped on a private land, it is for the MCD to take appropriate action in accordance with law.
"The MCD shall give appropriate notice to the owner of premises concerned and after giving opportunity and being satisfied that illegal dumping has been done in an unauthorized manner, the premises shall be sealed," it said.
In cases where non agricultural products are dumped on agricultural land, the SDMC shall give suitable directions to the authorities concerned, the bench said.

It directed Delhi Police to ensure that parking on the road whether tar road or adjacent to it is prohibited.

The Tribunal's direction came on a petition filed by Ravinder Yadav, an Assistant Professor in a government college in Haryana, who had alleged that authorities have turned a blind eye to the encroachments in Khaira Road area.
"Building material is illegally transported, stored and being dumped by tractors (originally used for agricultural purposes) and trucks on the roads at Krishna Vihar East and West on Khaira Road, Najafgargh, resulting in environmental pollution," it had said.
The Tribunal also directed SDMC to pay an amount of Rs 3,600 to Yadav as he had to take six days casual leave for the purpose of this case.