Snehal Upadhyay-
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) halted the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for not being able to prevent and control bad odor from a Sewage Treatment Plant in Delhi’s Kondli area.
The Court has directed DJB to pay Central Control Board Rs 5 Lakh per month, this amount would be used for restoring and improving the surrounding environment, till compliance.
The Chairperson of NGT Adarsh Kumar Goel said “We do not understand why DJB is now shirking its responsibility and taking a contra stand that small steps taken are enough and no odour control system is required. This stand is against public interest and non-compliance of the order of this Tribunal.”
The Chairperson further said that DJB has failed in its duty of preventing the bad odour, this problem is persisting for a very long time and DJB has taken pandemic as its excuse and for not performing its duty.
The petitioners contended that there must be remedial action against DJB.
The Tribunal stated that DJB has disappointed them on this matter, as the matter was going on for the last two years.
“Accordingly, in terms of order dated 23.02.2021, the DJB is held to be liable to pay the cost of Rs. 5 lakh per month from 01.06.2021 till compliance. The CEO, DJB will be personally responsible for the compliance,” the Tribunal ordered.
The matter will be further heard on 28 October 2021.
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