NGT orders action against polluting industrial units in east Delhi

The National Green Tribunal has taken note of polluting industrial units operating in residential areas of Shastri Nagar here and asked the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take action against all such entities operating without consent.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said there was material on record which "prima facie" indicates violation of law which needs to be looked into by the DPCC and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC).

The green panel noted that various units like bakeries, welding shops and slaughter houses were functioning in residential areas without proper permission.

"The DPCC may look into the questions whether the illegal activities pointed out by the applicant require any consent to operate and whether such consent has been obtained.

"It may also be examined as to which category the activities fall as per the categorisation and siting policy published by the DPCC in terms of the latest guidelines on the subject issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and whether such activities are permissible in residential or municipal areas," the bench said.

The tribunal made it clear that if there was