Kaushambi: Officials told to resolve pollution issues

GHAZIABAD: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the divisional commissioner (Meerut) to hold meetings with senior officials of Ghaziabad district on the pending pollution-related issues of the Kaushambi township and also take remedial action. The tribunal passed the order in connection with a petition filed by the Kaushambi Apartments Residents Welfare Association (Karwa).

The tribunal, while conducting a hearing on Monday, has directed for personal appearance (through videoconference) of divisional commissioner (Meerut), district magistrate of Ghaziabad, district police chief, and regional officer of UP Pollution Control Board.

“Inter alia, data of air quality and noise levels be taken into account for further action. Status of encroachment removal, cleaning of drains, collection and transportation of garbage, removal of pressure horns and other measures may be compiled, if not so far done...we hope the commissioner will take the erring officers to task for their failure in responding to this tribunal...even today,” the tribunal said in its order.

Karwa had moved NGT in 2015 for reduction of pollution as the locality Anand Vihar and Kaushambi inter-state bus terminals, Ghazipur landfill site and Sahibabad industrial area.

The tribunal observed that even though the matter has been taken up after more than a year (after repeated adjournments awaiting status report), “no report has been filed by the divisional commissioner, Meerut...nor any of the learned counsel for any of the authorities has instructions about the progress in the matter”.

“No explanation has been furnished for such apathy to the directions of this tribunal...we record our disappointment about the attitude of officers of municipal corporation as well as for failure of divisional commissioner, Meerut, who was expected to monitor the progress,” the tribunal said.

Surendra Singh, divisional commissioner (Meerut), was not available for comment. MS Tanwar, municipal commissioner, said, “We have filed our reports as an agency with the nodal officer. We are taking up required steps as directed and directions will be complied with.” Utsav Sharma, regional officer of UPPCB said, “The directions of the NGT will be complied with.”