Shifting of dhalao in Shahdara: NGT directs AAP MLA Ram Niwas Goel to assist EDMC

The National Green Tribunal today asked Shahdara MLA Ram Niwas Goel to assist the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) officials in identifying a suitable site for shifting an existing 'dhalao' (garbage dump) near a school.

A bench headed by Justice Raghuvendra Rathore asked the AAP leader to participate in the process and make serious efforts to find out a solution to the problem.

The tribunal's order came on a letter written by Goel to the NGT against the increasing number of auto workshops in Jhilmil Colony in East Delhi resulting in enormous traffic congestion and air pollution in the area.

The AAP MLA had also sought shifting of the 'dhalao' located near Babu Ram school in Shahdara as heaps of garbage had accumulated at the dumping site posing a threat to the health of residents in the area.

"Heard the counsel for the parties. In respect of the question for dumping of garbage and a place for 'dhalao', counsel for EDMC along with officer present in court have informed us that an exercise with regard to change of place of 'dhalao' would be done so that the grievance that garbage being dumped near the school does not remain.

"However, in this exercise, we expect the public representative (local MLA) to also participate and make serious efforts to find out the solution to the aforesaid problem. Counsel for EDMC shall intimate the public representative, as and when a meeting in this regard is called for," the bench said.

The order came after advocate Balendu Shekhar, appearing for EDMC, said shifting of the existing dhalao was a complicated process and the corporation faces massive resistance from the local people at the time of building the dumps.

The lawyer suggested to the bench that being the local MLA, Goel's participation will help to arrive at a consensus solution.

During the hearing, advocate Kush Sharma, appearing for the Delhi Development Authority, told the NGT that in entire EDMC jurisdiction, they have no piece of land for shifting the entire auto workshop which is operation at the site for last several decades.