NGT stops construction of dump site near schools in I P Extn.

The National Green Tribunal has stopped construction of a garbage dump right in front of a CBSE regional office at I P Extension in the city where a number of schools are also located, keeping in mind the likelihood of children contracting diseases.
A bench headed by Justice P Jyothimani issued notices and sought responses of the Environment ministry, city government, its various departments and agencies, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Dy Commissioner of Police (East) and the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights on a plea alleging that the 'dhalao' (dumping enclosure) construction at the site in question is "wrongful and illegal".

"We are of the view that balance of convenience in passing some interim order is in the interest of the public especially the health of children who come in large numbers everyday and are more susceptible to contracting diseases.
"Accordingly, we direct respondents to maintain status quo as it exists today making it clear that no further construction shall be proceeded with till the next date of hearing," the bench and listed the matter on October 9.
It, meanwhile, directed the Municipal Commissioners of the three branches of MCD and the New Delhi Municipal Council to file a report on how they manage the municipal solid waste (MSW) in their areas.

The order came on the plea of one R C Jain, the President of Delhi State Public Schools Management Association, who has opposed the 'dhalao' being constructed at Institutional Area, I P Extension, saying there is already a landfill site barely 1.5 km away.
The petition filed through advocate Sanjeev Kumar contends there are four schools located within 10-100 metres of the site and apart from that hundreds of students daily frequent the CBSE office which is right opposite the 'dhalao'.
Apart from the foul smell that the students would have to put up with, the petition also raised the issue of the site becoming a "breeding ground" of mosquitoes, flies and other insects, which could cause diseases like malaria, dengue, etc.