NGT seeks steps to protect pond

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has asked the AAP government and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to inform it about the steps they have taken to protect a pond in southwest Delhi’s Janakpuri.

A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim asked the public works department (PWD) of the Delhi government and the DDA to file a specific affidavit and inform the tribunal if they had complied with its September 22, 2017 order.

“Counsel appearing for the DDA, PWD and others seek time to make clear (their) stand with regard to the compliance of the directions issued by this tribunal dated September 22, 2017.

“Last chance is granted to file a specific statement in the form of affidavit about the compliance to the directions and if there is no compliance the reason thereof,” the bench said.

The matter has been listed for hearing on March 1.

The green court’s order came on a petition filed by residents Rajinder Singh and Hari Prakash wanting restoration of a pond in Asalatpur Khadar village in Janakpuri in southwest Delhi.

The tribunal had earlier stopped the Delhi government from carrying out any construction activity on the pond after the petitioners alleged the authorities were damaging the water body and destroying the nearby green cover.

The petition sought execution of its September 22 order directing the Delhi government and other authorities to ensure protection of the pond and pass relevant directions.

“To date, no order has been passed by any of the respondents. It is submitted that the applicant had sent a letter to respondents informing them about the directions of this tribunal and also about non-compliance with the same as more than four weeks had passed since the order was passed. Despite this, the respondents have not taken any step in compliance of the order,” the plea had alleged.