New Delhi, Oct 16 (KNN) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 50 crore on Delhi government for not taking action against steel pickling units in residential areas despite their directions.

The green panel in its order directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take action against stainless steel pickling industries in residential areas as they fall under the prohibited list of industrial activity as per the Delhi Master Plan (DMP), 2021.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel pulled up the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for not closing the industrial units despite its specific directions.

Failing to comply with NGT orders to shut these units with immediate effect, NGT has fined an amount of Rs 50 crore on a plea filed by an NGO, the All India Lokadhikar Sangthan, seeking the execution of its order by which the green panel had directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take action against stainless steel pickling industries in residential areas.

The plea alleged that such units functioning at Wazirpur discharged effluent in open drains which ultimately met the Yamuna river.

It contended that under the pretext of decision making "time is being taken by the Delhi government and the environment is made to suffer continuously".