NGT questions SDMC claim on study before covering drains

The National Green Tribunal today questioned South Delhi Municipal Corporation's (SDMC) claim that it conducted an environmental impact study prior to undertaking the work of covering of drains and building parking lots above them.
The SDMC made the submission before a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar which said, "It appears to be a plain and simple lie. This is a false averment made by you... Show us the original report made by you after conducting the study."
The bench adjourned the matter to December 17 when the corporation has to provide the original report of the study it claims to have conducted.

The tribunal on November 19 had asked the SDMC whether it or any other civic body had "carried out any study or survey of the natural canal, now drains, in question before deciding to cover them, and the consequences thereof".
The corporation was to provide an answer to the query today, but it could not.
The tribunal's observation came while hearing a plea by a retired Indian Forest Service officer Manoj Kumar Mishra and Madhu Bhaduri, a former diplomat, opposing the covering of stormwater drains in Delhi to enable their use for commercial and parking purposes.

Their petition states that these drains carry sewage collected from various colonies of Delhi and covering them could cause excessive flooding during monsoons.

The NGT on October 21 had directed that no construction work be undertaken on the covering of 10-km-long Kushak nala, a storm water drain in South Delhi as the project had not been given any environment clearance.
This interim order continues to be in effect till date.