NGT seeks DMRC reply on Janakpuri residents' plea

The National Green Tribunal today sought response of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on a plea by residents of a Janakpuri colony here who have sought closure of a concrete mixing plant set up by it "in the middle of a residential area".
A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar and judicial member Justice U D Salvi also issued notices to the Central Pollution Control Board and Delhi Pollution Control Committee on the petition by the RWA of A-1 Block of Janakpuri and listed the matter on January 13, 2013.
Raising environmental and public health concerns, the RWA has sought "immediate sealing and closure of concrete mixing plant in front of Dholi Piao opposite Chander Nagar School, Janakpuri".

The RWA has alleged that DMRC has set up the unit right in the middle of a residential colony and that it was leading to pollution of air and water of the area by its emissions.
It has contended that the mixing plant, an orange category industry, is located barely 30 meters away from a school and is injurious to the health of students.
Industries are categorised as Red, Orange or Green based on their emissions into the environment, with red being those which are the heaviest polluters and green the least polluting units.
Apart from the concerns regarding health of the residents and school kids, the petition also contends that the unit is illegally using ground water for the purpose of mixing concrete and that trees have been cut for establishing it.

The RWA has alleged that the concrete mixing plant has been set up by the DMRC without appropriate consent of the authorities and wants that it be moved out of the colony.