NGT directs GDA to pay Rs 1.17 cr to Nagar Nigam for sewerage

The National Green Tribunal has directed Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) to pay Rs 1.17 crore to Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN) within a month for construction of sewer lines in Kaushambi near Delhi border.
A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi also directed GNN to disconnect all sewer lines linked to storm water drains and stop release of untreated sewage from nearby villages in these drains in Kaushambi township within one month.
"GDA shall pay an amount of Rs 1,17,69,000 to Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam within one month for construction of the sewer lines... This amount shall be utilised by the Nigam only for the purposes as indicated and it shall issue Utilisation Certificate to GDA.

"On receipt of the said amount Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam shall construct sewer lines within two months there from. Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam and Ghaziabad Development Authority shall file compliance reports in the registry within 90 days," the bench, also comprising Expert Member Ranjan Chatterjee, said.
During the hearing, the counsel appearing for Ghaziabad Development Authority told the tribunal that GNN was handed over the area of Kaushambi township for maintenance purposes in 2004 and therefore it was not under any obligation to make any payment.
He also submitted a map, prepared in collaboration with the Nigam, showing existing sewer lines, sewage lines connecting storm water drain and the projected sewer lines necessary for finding permanent solution to the problems of the area.

The counsel appearing for GNN told the bench that the department was ready to disconnect all the sewer lines connected to the storm water drain, clean the sewer lines and storm water drains and construct new sewer lines within Kaushambi township.

The directions came while hearing a plea by Kaushambi Apartments Residents Welfare Association (KARWA) which alleged that land sold off by Ghaziabad Development Authority to Yashoda Hospital, Supertech, Raj Residency and others in eastern part of Kaushambi area does not have sewer connection.
"As the sewer lines were never laid by private builders and entire untreated sewer is being dumped directly in drain in violation of environmental laws / NGT orders.

"Ghaziabad Development Authority as the development authority did not check provisioning of these basic facilities at the time of according clearances for occupation to them," the plea had said.