Hefty fines for throwing religious items, waste in Yamuna

Cracking the whip on those polluting Yamuna, the National Green Tribunal today passed a slew of directions including a fine of Rs 5,000 on individuals spotted throwing waste or religious items in the river as it unveiled a plan for its restoration.
A bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, banned dumping of construction material into Yamuna while imposing a fine of Rs 50,000 on violators, and also restrained real estate developers from carrying out any construction work on floodplains under its "Mailey se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Plan 2017".
The Tribunal gave its nod to the recommendations by two committees, constituted by it, on restoration of the Yamuna banks and storm water drains (SWDs) in Delhi.

Taking note of the illegal constructions on Yamuna floodplains, the bench also restrained real estate developers from carrying out any construction work on floodplains.
The tribunal's verdict came while hearing a petition filed by Manoj Kumar Mishra of the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan seeking a ban on dumping of rubble into Yamuna and ensuring cleaning up of the river.
Talking to PTI, Manoj said he is satisfied with the judgement and the aspect of quarterly review by the Tribunal for implementation is a commendable step.

"It is indeed a comprehensive judgment and we welcome it in totality. We look forward to NGT's Yamuna restoration plan under 'Mailey se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Plan 2017'. This judgement will have impact on other states as well. We will continue to push for implementation of this judgement," he said.

In January, 2013, NGT had banned dumping of debris including construction material into Yamuna and had directed the states of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to remove the rubble immediately.
It had also directed Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) not to grant permission to any industrial unit discharging effluents directly or indirectly into Yamuna.
Taking a stern view on dumping of construction material in national capital, it had also directed Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to ensure that all such materials are removed and taken to a designated site.