NGT issues showcause notice to DUSIB over parking land in Lajpat Nagar

The National Green Tribunal has issued a showcause notice to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) over why action should not be taken against its erring officials for not handing over a piece of land in Lajpat Nagar to a traders' body for parking.

A bench headed by acting NGT Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim sought a response from the DUSIB and asked it to file a reply on the plea of the traders' body before May 14.

The land, which measures around 5,000 square metres at Kasturba Niketan in Lajpat Nagar area of South Delhi, was allotted to the traders' body by the tribunal in 2015 to minimise traffic congestion in the busy marketplace.

The order came after advocate Gautam Singh, appearing for the body, sought execution of the NGT order directing DUSIB to allot the land as a temporary parking site for parking of vehicles till a multi-level parking is constructed by South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) in that area.

The lawyer contended that despite filing an affidavit in the tribunal, the board has not handed over the land till date and sought action against the concerned officers.

The tribunal had disposed the matter in pursuance to the DUSIB's affidavit stating that it would hand over the land to the traders' body.

The traders' body had earlier said that despite the order of the NGT, DUSIB issued a show cause notice to it after inspection in September 2016 and later denied permission to the applicant to utilise the space for parking.

Despite numerous letters and representations, DUSIB has not taken any action in this regard which led the traders to file the petition, seeking directions to the board to earmark the plot and comply with the NGT's 2015 direction, the plea had said.

The petition had said that vehicles were being parked on both sides of the metalled road in total violation of the orders of the tribunal and it was difficult to move on the footpath which also have been encroached upon.