Why govt depts hesitate to come out with complete records: NGT

The National Green Tribunal today sought to know why government departments hesitate to come out with complete records while directing PWD to show the approval granted for converting to four lanes its elevated corridor project on the Outer Ring Road here.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar assured the authority that the tribunal is inclined to permit its project as it is not against development, but said that all the details should be provided to it.
Apart from the approval granted for changing the surface road, connected to the elevated corridor, from three to four lanes, the NGT also sought answers from the PWD on the issue of maintaining a green belt at the project areas.

"We don't know why government departments are so hesitant to come out with their reports/records. We are not against development. We would like development to be carried out... Show us you have received approval for four lanes. Tell us what are you going to do about the green belt...," the bench said and listed the matter for hearing on January 20.
The tribunal sought the records, after petitioner Aditya Prasad contended that PWD has only received approval for a three lane surface road, but it proposes to build four lanes by cutting trees on the roadsides.
He also contended that according to a latest report of a joint team of forest department and PWD officials, around 160 trees are missing from the project site.

However, PWD, refuted the contention saying that the discrepancy is due to double counting and that there are more trees at the site than there were earlier.
The NGT was a hearing a plea challenging the clearance granted to the project to cut over 1,400 trees in the entire Vikas Puri-Mukarba Chowk stretch of the Outer Ring Road.