NGT directs AIIMS panel to file report

NEW DELHI: An AIIMS panel, formed by the Centre after a chemical spill at the Tughlaqabad depot here, was on Wednesday directed by the National Green Tribunal to submit its report on the impact of the incident.

Around 450 girl students of the Rani Jhansi School and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, run by the city administration, had to be hospitalised on May 6 after toxic fumes spread due to the leakage.

Most of the students, who complained of irritation in the eyes and breathlessness, were discharged after a few hours but a few had to be kept under observation.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed Dr YK Gupta, head of the Pharmacology Department of AIIMS, to file the complete report based on his visit to the place.

It also asked the AIIMS to submit a supplementary report and inform about the children who got affected from the leakage and whether they have suffered any serious health problems.

This is the second time that the AIIMS panel has failed to submit its report despite direction from the NGT.

Advocate Sanjay Upadhyay, who has filed a plea seeking shifting of the container depot, referred to the AIIMS report and said that the tribunal should proceed on its basis as it has very categorical observations on the whole incident.

He said the trucks and heavy vehicles which are not destined to Delhi should be stopped from coming to the national capital as they cause air pollution.

The matter is fixed for hearing on August 8.