Hauz Khas eateries: NGT asks DPCC to inspect site for ETP

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today directed Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to inspect the restaurants in upmarket Hauz Khas Village area to see if they have complied with safeguards to check effluent discharge and grant them consent for serving food if found to be in order.
A bench headed by Justice P Jyothimani directed the DPCC to inspect the eateries which submitted they have installed Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and are awaiting consent order to resume operation.
The bench, however, rejected the request of several restaurant owners that the Tribunal should peruse their affidavit detailing their compliance and allow them to start operations immediately as they have installed ETPs and have all safeguards in place.

The restaurants moved the Tribunal today saying they have installed ETPs but their application for adequacy report and consent order is pending before DPCC due to which they cannot start serving food.
"We do not have the authority to give you consent to operate. The team of concerned persons has to inspect the site to see the functioning of ETPs you have installed. On the basis of the adequacy report, DPCC will give the consent order to operate," the bench told the counsel for restaurant owners.
It also asked DPCC to file a consolidated report detailing which restaurants have installed ETPs.