Squatters in Azadpur: NGT directs North Delhi Municipal Corporation to reply

The National Green Tribunal has directed the North Delhi Municipal Corporation to file its response within a week on a plea alleging that encroachments have led to traffic congestion and air pollution in Azadpur here.

A bench headed by acting NGT Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim, which had issued notices to the AAP government, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, granted the corporation an opportunity to file a reply after advocate Puja Kalra sought more time.

"The counsel for Delhi government submits that it is not required to file any reply to show cause notice and he submits that the reply already filed may be taken into consideration. Submissions taken on record. We shall consider whether the NCT Delhi could have avoided answering to the show cause notice," the bench said while posting the matter for hearing on May 25.

The green panel had earlier asked the Delhi government and others to show cause why the order passed by Public Grievance Commission has not been complied with regard to encroachments.

"In case report is not submitted, we will summon the officers for explanation," the bench had said.

The tribunal was hearing a plea by city residents Sushil Baheti and Ritesh Goel seeking removal of encroachments from Azadpur area here, saying these were causing traffic congestion.

The plea, filed through advocate Rahul Khurana, claimed that the issue raised by the applicants was dealt by the Public Grievances Commission of the Delhi government which directed Deputy Commissioner (Civil Lines Zone), North Delhi Municipal Corporation to remove encroachments on a regular basis.

"Vide the same order it was also directed SHO of Adarsh Nagar not to allow any unauthorised vendor once the area is cleared by the civic agency. It is pertinent to mention herein that the Grievances Commission observed that the issue of encroachment at Azadpur is a very chronic matter that needs to be resolved and advised to approach the tribunal for getting corrective orders to resolve the grievance," the plea said.

The plea has also sought directions to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to install ambient air quality monitoring station in the area.