NGT slaps ₹22.5cr penalty on six builders in Sonepat

: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped an interim penalty of Rs 22.5 crore on six builders in Haryana’s Sonepat area for violation of environmental norms, saying the transgressions are of serious nature and the compensation “must have deterrent aspect”.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Adarsh Kumar Goel also constituted a joint committee comprising representatives of Central Pollution Control Board, ministry of environment and forests and IIT-Delhi to suggest realistic compensation to be recovered from them.

The NGT imposed environment compensation of Rs 10 crore on TDI Infrastructure Ltd, (For Kingsburry apartments), Rs 2.5 crore each on TDI Infrastructure Ltd’s My Floor project in Sector-60, Tuscan City, CMD Built-Tech Pvt. Ltd, Parker Estate Development Pvt. Ltd and Narang Constructions and Financiers Pvt Ltd.

“The period of violations is two years or more. The turnover of the projects is in hundreds of crores. The deficiencies are in the knowledge of the project proponents who are in regular business. During inspections noted above, project proponents have become further aware of the shortcomings.

“Though environment is priceless, quantum of environment compensation has to be adequate to restore the environment and must have deterrent aspect so that such violations are not profitable. No lenient attitude can be shown nor can such matters be unduly prolonged,” the bench said.

The tribunal directed the Haryana chief secretary to consider referring the matter to vigilance to ascertain intentional and collusive violation of law.

“The chief secretary may also oversee remedial action for speedy enforcement of environmental norms in the interest of health of the inhabitants,” the bench said.

The green panel said that the amount may be recovered by the state pollution control board and spent for restoration of the environment.

FINE IMPOSED

FOR VIOLATION OF GREEN NORMS; AMOUNT TO BE RECOVERED BY STATE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD