NGT slams discoms over wires around trees in Delhi

Power distribution companies in the capital today came under fire from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for putting high tension cables on trees, with the green panel warning of action against their top bosses if the wires were not removed within six weeks.
"Why are you (discoms) putting wires around the trees? Why don't you put wires on poles?... You make all the trees free of wiring in any part of NCT, Delhi within six weeks from today...
"In the event of default of direction and the work of trees being made free of electrical wiring in any form whatsoever, the Managing Director of the Company would be liable to be proceeded against in accordance with law personally," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

During the hearing, the counsel for BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and BSES Yamuna Power Ltd, told the green panel that they required at least eight weeks to free the trees of electrical wires and poles were being installed at various points to achieve the target.
The green panel directed all municipal corporations and concerned departments to file their compliance reports with regard to deconcretisation of trees within two weeks.
"They shall protect the trees and ensure that their roots are not exposed...In the affidavit it would be specifically stated, any two colonies by each of corporation where aforesaid work in terms of the direction of the Tribunal have been followed and complied with. The affidavit be filed by the Commissioners of the respective Corporations," the bench categorically said.

The matter was listed for next hearing on April 29.

The NGT had last year issued notices to Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd and North Delhi Power Ltd for choking trees by putting wires around them.
In 2013, it had directed public authorities, including municipal bodies, Delhi Development Authority to ensure that sign boards, advertisements, wires and other objects that deface trees as well as concrete around them in the national capital are removed forthwith.
The bench was hearing a petition filed by advocate Aditya N Prasad alleging that concretisation of trees in various parts of Delhi was leading to weakening of the roots and eventually their death.