None appears for SDMC, NGT issues bailable warrant

National Green Tribunal today issued bailable warrant against Deputy Commissioner of South Delhi Municipal Corporation after no one appeared on behalf of the agency despite notice issued on a plea by residents of Panchsheel Park over high levels of noise pollution due to traffic in the area.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar passed the order saying the presence of the SDMC official is necessary to adjudicate the matter.
"Respondent 5 (SDMC) has been served and despite service nobody is present on its behalf. Consequently, we issue bailable warrant against Respondent 5 in the sum of Rs 10,000," the bench said.

The tribunal had on August 27 issued notice and sought response of the city government, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Public Works Department (PWD), SDMC, DDA and Delhi Police on the plea.
Today counsel appeared on behalf of all parties, except the SDMC, to file the replies or to seek time for filing the responses.
Since no one appeared on behalf of SDMC, it prompted the bench to ask, "Why do we have to issue bailable warrants against bureaucrats to ensure their presence?"

The order came on the petition filed by Omesh Saigal, a resident of the South Delhi colony.
In his petition filed through advocate Yatender, Saigal has alleged that noise pollution, generated due to the heavy traffic flow along the Outer Ring road, is adversely affecting the health of the people living in the area.

The petition has sought directions to the government or any of the civic bodies to install screens, to block the noise, along both sides of the road.
Saigal has alleged in his petition that the government has failed to take measures for abatement of noise and to ensure that existing noise levels do not exceed the ambient air quality standards specified under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000.