Above: A Yamuna bank in New Delhi. Photo: Anil Shakya
The National Green Tribunal, headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar had, on January 13, 2015, passed an order on the clearing of encroachers and removal of illegal construction on the floodplains of the river Yamuna. The Tribunal had given the government two months to complete the task. Till today not only has no work started on that order, even the survey work has not been completed by the government.
On Tuesday (October 17) the bench observed: “It is a matter of great regret that the judgment was passed on January 13, 2015 and the further direction was issued but it has not been complied with by various stakeholders, except shifting of blame to each other. The judgment is complete and comprehensive, including the execution of works which are very important to save the river from pollution. The year 2017 is about to end except that the survey is still going on, nothing has been done by government.
“Work has been avoided, despite the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) giving the money to the land department. But they are not taking it seriously,” the bench said.
The officer from the DJB submitted that even the survey has not been completed. The bench said: “You made the statement last time in which you said that you started the survey and physical work will be started in a month.”
It was brought to the notice of the court that L&T, which was given the work, had done the survey and were to start work in a month, but the project has not been officially passed despite their submitting the project.
The bench said: “We have been informed in the chamber meeting that the money has been allotted. But the counsel for Namami Gange is unable to confirm it today. The Ministry for Urban Development has released the money.”
The bench has directed the following to be present in a chamber meeting on October 23. The officers will have to present their complete reports before the Tribunal. They are:
- Chief Secretary, NCT Delhi
- Secretary, Environment
- CEO of Delhi Jal Board
- CEO of L&T
- Secretary, Land and Building
- Executive Director, NMCG
- Vice-Chairman, DDA
- VP, Secretary, Revenue, NCT Delhi
All the officers shall inform the Tribunal on compliance, particularly in phase 1, which is from Najafgarh.
The bench said: “We also direct to show-cause as to why the appropriate orders in relation to attachment of their accounts be not passed and why they did not start the proceedings.
The matter has been listed for October 23.
—India Legal Bureau