NGT orders CPCB to take action against 51837 illegal industries operating in Delhi residential areas

New Delhi, Aug 28 (KNN) Taking suo moto cognizance of report in media on 51837 illegal industries operating in Delhi residential areas, National Green Tribunal has directed Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to form 2 members expert committee to probe the matter.

NGT has also directed the corporations - DSIIDC and DDA to cooperate and provide assistance to CPCB in this matter.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the 2 man panel to look into these industries running in residential areas without requisite approvals and asked them to take appropriate action under the law.

The committee has also been asked to submit a comprehensive report on the issue to the panel comprising retired expert member Bikram Singh Sajwan and former Delhi Chief Secretary Shailaja Chandra.

As per the media report, DSIIDC listed 51837 units dealing in dyes, chemicals, rubber, plastic, electrics, iron smelting,  and other toxic generating elements in areas like Moti Nagar, Kirti Nagar, Ramesh Nagar , Najafgarh and Mansarovar Garden in West Delhi; Ashram, Bhogal, Jangpura, Maharani Bagh and Mahipalpur in south Delhi; Gandhi Nagar, Jheel, Shastri Nagar, Kailash Nagar, Jafrabad  and Shahdara in East Delhi; and Sadar Bazaar, Chandni Chowk, Malkaganj, Ballimaran, Lal Kuan and Kashmere Gate in North Delhi.

In this regard, referring to the article that industries were contributing to air and water pollution in the areas apart from not having licences to operate, bench said “The North Delhi Municipal Corporation, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, South Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation and Delhi Development Authority will cooperate and provide all assistance to committee constituted by CPCB.”

The bench asked the committee constituted by the tribunal to take appropriate action as may be found necessary, against the industries operating from residential and non-confirming areas, subject to any further order of this tribunal.