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Deteriorating air quality in Delhi, violations of Grap: NGT issues notices

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices and sought action-taken reports from several authorities, including the Delhi chief secretary, Union environment ministry and MCD, in a matter regarding the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. The NGT issued the notices while hearing a matter where it had initiated suo motu (on its own) proceedings based on media reports on the deterioration in Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) and violations of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), under which stricter measures are taken to curb air pollution during winter. Noting the reports, a bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel said despite action taken by the authorities, the problem of air pollution is aggravating in Delhi and the residents are facing various health problems due to it. "We deem it proper to implead the following authorities in the matter -- chief secretary, Delhi, member-secretary, Delhi Pollution Control Committee

NGT issues notice to Punjab CS, CPCB on pollution caused by stubble burning

Voicing concern over burning of crop residue that causes air pollution in the national capital, the National Green Tribunal has issued notices to the Punjab chief secretary and member secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The NGT was hearing a petition it had initiated on its own (suo motu) following a media report highlighting a rise in farm fire incidents in Punjab. The report said stubble burning in the state around autumn was among the biggest contributors to pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel noted a report by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) which detailed the comparative data of three years on stubble burning incidents along with the names of hotspot districts known for farm fire incidents. Effective implementation of various measures is the key for controlling stubble burning in the state, the bench said on Friday. It said the state authorities, ..

NGT forms panel, seeks report on construction of highway in HP floodplains

The National Green Tribunal has formed a panel and sought a report from it on the construction of a highway by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) allegedly in the floodplains of the Beas river in Himachal Pradesh. The tribunal was hearing a petition which alleged the NHAI is constructing a four-lane highway from Kiratpur to Manali and Pathankot to Mandi in a flood-prone area near the river. A bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel said it was "proper" to "call for a report" from the authorities concerned on the issue. The bench then formed a joint committee comprising the executive engineer, (in-charge) of NHAI, an officer deputed by the member secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the member secretary of Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board( HPPCB). "Member Secretary, HPPCB will act as a nodal agency. The committee will examine the issue and submit the report before the tribunal within eight weeks,"

NGT forms panel to look into 'illegal' soil mining in Uttar Pradesh village

The National Green Tribunal has formed a panel to look into the allegations of illegal soil mining by a private company at a village in Uttar Pradesh during the ongoing construction of the Bundelkhand Expressway project. The tribunal was hearing a petition alleging illegal mining of soil, of up to 15 metres, in agricultural land by a private company in collusion with the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) officials in Jalon district's Narcha village. According to the petition, the illegal mining resulted in damage to the environment. A bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said the allegations raised "substantial issues" regarding the environmental laws. "To ascertain the truthfulness of the allegation, we deem it proper to constitute a joint committee comprising of Member Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), representative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the concerned Executive Engineer of state's Pub

Illegal dyeing units in Delhi: NGT seeks report within 5 weeks from DPCC

The National Green Tribunal has sought a "fresh report" within five weeks from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee regarding the illegal operation of several dyeing units in the national capital. The tribunal was hearing a petition, which alleged that dyeing units in Bindapur, Matiala, Ranhola, Khyala, Meethapur, Badarpur, Mukundpur and Kirar are violating provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. A bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted the report of an earlier panel and said most of the dyeing units were not inspected on the plea that they were found to be locked. The bench noted the Delhi Pollution Control Committee counsel's submission that inspection teams visited 50 of the total 70 dyeing units. However, as several of these factories were found to be locked, these required re-inspection. The tribunal, in an order passed on October 4, noted that the committee's counsel had sought f

NGT seeks action-taken report on noise pollution by banquet halls in Delhi

The National Green Tribunal has sought action-taken reports from the authorities concerned, including the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the Delhi Police, on sound pollution by some banquet halls in Karol Bagh. The tribunal had in March directed the authorities to verify the facts and take remedial action. A bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said an action-taken report was submitted by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee's (DPCC) senior environmental engineer following the tribunal's order. The report revealed that the tribunal's directions were not complied with in "true letter and spirit and only paper compliances have been done", it said. The bench, also comprising Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, said the report was not substantiated by data on noise levels and notices issued to the banquet halls. "Hence, we call for action-taken reports from the member secretary, DPCC, subdivisional magistrate (SDM), Karol Bagh, a

Solid waste management in Haryana's Hisar, panel to submit report to NGT

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a panel and asked it to submit an action-taken report regarding solid waste management in Haryana's Hisar district. The NGT took the step after hearing a petition that claimed that the Municipal Corporation of Hisar had violated rules. It alleged that the corporation collects household waste without segregation and its garbage disposal vehicles do not reach all households, because of which people are forced to dump garbage in the open. A bench of Acting Chairperson Justice Sheo Kumar Singh noted that according to the data before the tribunal, there was 1.3 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of legacy waste in Hisar, which was because of a gap between waste generation and processing. The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel, said before proceeding further, it deemed fit to call a report on the matter from a joint committee consisting of the Hisar collector and a representative of the Haryana

EV makers body petitions NGT for green tax on fuel-based 2-wheelers

Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles on Tuesday said it has petitioned the National Green Tribunal (NGT) expressing concerns against the government's move to cut FAME II subsidy and support a 'Green Tax' on fuel-based two-wheelers. The Ministry of Heavy Industries' latest decision to cut down FAME II subsidies is likely to disrupt India's growth in the EV sector and consequently have a detrimental impact on the environmental and health indices of the country, Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) said it its petition. The ministry has suddenly decided to cut down subsidies by 75 per cent, it added. SMEV further said it has "requested for NGT's support to a Green Tax on fuel-based two-wheelers so as to incentivise the adoption of green vehicles and contribute to the national objective of environmental preservation and pollution reduction". "Electric vehicles are subsidised across the world with the intent to induce a mass shift towards non-polluting energy ..

Delhi govt moves SC against NGT order of LG to monitor waste management

The Delhi government has moved the Supreme Court challenging an order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by which a high-level committee headed by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena was set up for handling solid waste management in the national capital. The AAP-led Delhi government, which has been at loggerheads with the LG over several administrative issues, filed the appeal against the February 16 order of the NGT, saying its effect is to bypass the elected government completely" and hand over the power with regard to the management of solid waste to the LG and the central government which is in violation of the constitutional scheme. Amid a lingering conflict between the Centre and the AAP dispensation, the Delhi government had filed a separate plea a few days ago assailing another order of the NGT naming the LG as the chairperson of a High-Level Committee (HLC) on Yamuna pollution. The fresh plea, filed through lawyer Shadan Farasat on Tuesday, sought setting aside of the final .

Limestone mine collapse: NGT orders Rs 20 lk compensation to victim's kins

The National Green Tribunal has directed the District Magistrate of Bastar to pay a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the families of each of the six workers who were killed in a limestone mine collapse in Maalgaon village in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. The tribunal also ordered the district administration to pay a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the three injured workers and asked the state to review its vigilance and regulatory regime to prevent such incidents in future. The NGT was hearing a matter where it had initiated suo motu (on its own) proceedings based on a media report about the death of six people, including five women, allegedly due to mine collapse. The incident occurred on December 2 last year in the village, which is under Nagarnar police station, around 12 km from Jagdalpur, the district headquarters. A bench headed by chairperson Justice A K Goel said, "We direct that the District Magistrate, Bastar may disburse a further amount of Rs 16 lakh to the heirs of each o

No objection to installation of lighthouse by DDA in Yamuna floodplain: NGT

The National Green Tribunal has said that it has no objection to the installation of a lighthouse in the greenway adjacent to the Yamuna floodplain for additional surveillance and security. The NGT was hearing an application filed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) seeking permission for the installation of the lighthouse. According to the DDA's counsel, the plea was necessary in the background of the tribunal's earlier order prohibiting any construction activity in the demarcated floodplains. A bench led by chairperson Justice A K Goel said, "...we are of the view that in principle there can be no objection to the proposal if it is approved by the high-level committee (HLC) and is meant for protection of floodplain zone and is within the purview of permissible activity in terms of...the order of this tribunal dated January 13, 2015, and River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016. Earlier in January, the tribunal formed the HLC headed by ...

NGT gives no objection to installation of Yamuna floodplains lighthouse

The National Green Tribunal has given no objection to installation of a lighthouse in the greenway, adjacent to the Yamuna flood plains, for additional surveillance and security of the flood plains

Daman-Diu, Dadra-Nagar Haveli to bridge gap in liquid waste management: NGT

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu administration to ensure that the gap in liquid waste management, in terms of connectivity to the existing sewage treatment plants, is bridged within four months. The tribunal asked the UT to connect sewage from the urban areas to the existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) besides ensuring the completion of the work for reclaiming legacy waste sites. The NGT was hearing a application of the union territory regarding the management of solid and liquid waste. The green panel is monitoring compliance with Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and other environmental issues by states and union territories. A bench of chairperson Justice A K Goel noted the data presented by the advisor to the union territory's administrator and said there is no gap in solid waste processing, while there is a 17.24 million litres per day (MLD) gap regarding sewage management in terms of connectivity to the existin

Improper waste management by U'khand: NGT refrains from imposing fine

The National Green Tribunal has accepted the request of the Uttarakhand government to allow it to deposit Rs 200 crore in a separate ring-fenced account for sewage and solid waste management. The state's chief secretary made the request after the tribunal announced a penalty of Rs 200 crore on the state for improper management of solid and liquid waste. A bench of NGT chairperson Justice A K Goel noted there was a gap of around 60 million litres per day (MLD) in sewage generation and treatment, besides 252.65 metric tonnes per day (TPD) of unprocessed waste and 15.75 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of legacy waste. The bench, also comprising judicial members Justices Sudhir Agarwal and Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad, said based on the polluter pays principle, an environmental compensation was estimated at around Rs 200 crore for the state's failure to scientifically manage liquid and solid waste in violation of the mandate of law. The bench noted the chi

Environmental norms violated in construction at Delhi CM's residence: NGT

The National Green Tribunal has formed a panel to ascertain the factual position, after a petition claimed violation of environmental norms by the public works department (PWD) in carrying out some constructions at the Delhi chief minister's official residence and properties adjacent to it. The NGT was hearing a petition alleging permanent and semi-permanent constructions were raised and more than 20 trees cut in the course of developing 6, Flag Staff Road (CM's residence) and 45-47 Rajpur Road (properties adjoining it). In view of thesignificance of the requirement of compliance for cutting trees and providing green belt as a condition for constructions in the congested and polluted city of Delhi, we consider it necessary to ascertain the factual position by constituting a joint committee, a bench of chairperson Justice A K Goel said. The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, constituted the committee comprising the Chief .

Ludhiana gas leak: NGT orders Rs 20-lakh compensation for kin of 11 dead

The panel has ordered the fact-finding committee to submit its report by June 30, and the matter will be considered by the tribunal again on July 13

NGT levies Rs 4,000 cr environmental fine on Bihar for lax waste management

The National Green Tribunal has imposed a Rs 4,000 crore environmental compensation on Bihar for failing to scientifically manage solid and liquid waste, in accordance with the polluter pays principle. A bench of chairperson Justice A K Goel directed that the amount be deposited in a ring-fenced account within two months. The account will be operated only under the chief secretary's directions for waste management in the state. The bench, also comprising Justices Sudhir Agarwal and Arun Kumar Tyagi, besides expert members Afroz Ahmad and A Senthil Vel, said, "We levy compensation of Rs 4,000 crore on the state on the polluter pays principle for its failure in scientifically managing the liquid and solid waste in violation of the mandate of law, particularly judgments of the Supreme Court and this tribunal." The amount will be used for setting up solid waste processing facilities, remediation of legacy waste and setting up of sewage treatment plants (STPs), and faecal sludge and ...

Reserve one-third reclaimed land for dense forest in Delhi, recommends NGT

One-third of reclaimed land from dump sites in Delhi should be reserved for dense forest and an equal area must be earmarked for integrated waste management facilities, an NGT panel has recommended. The solid-waste monitoring committee of the National Green Tribunal, which recently held a review meeting, asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Delhi Development Authority and the forest department to submit a detailed action plan within a month about proper utilisation of the reclaimed land. In February, the NGT constituted the committee with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena as its head. The panel submitted its report on Monday. The panel has also asked for a web portal to be developed by June 30 to show the daily generation of waste, collection, recycling, processing and disposal at the dump sites. "The online feed shall also be made available to the Urban Development Department of GNCTD, DPCC and CPCB," the panel recommended. It was also decided that MCD, NDMC and DCB should c

Yamuna pollution: NGT directs UP chief secretary to ensure remedial action

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to ensure remedial action in matters pertaining to pollution of river Yamuna in Mathura and Agra. The NGT was hearing two applications on pollution of the river in Mathura and Agra. The applications alleged discharge of untreated sewage in Yamuna in Mathura and pollution of the river in Agra by local authorities and private businesses or commercial establishments. A bench of Chairperson Justice A K Goel noted in pursuance of the tribunal's earlier orders, the state pollution control board (PCB) had filed separate reports acknowledging the pollution of river Yamuna in Mathura and discharge of 131 million litres per day (MLD) of untreated sewage in it and failure of the authorities to take necessary remedial action in Agra. The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad, noted the untapped drains and discharge of untreated sewage into the ..

NGT orders review of green nod for Great Nicobar Port amid public uproar

Panel to study 'unanswered deficiencies', stays further development for 2 months