NGT seeks report on 51,837 industries in residential areas

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit within a month the action taken report on the status of 51,837 industries in the national capital, which are running in residential areas without requisite approvals.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said the report received from CPCB shows certain steps, including constitution of a twomember committee, have been taken. “However, the action taken report has not been furnished. The CPCB may accordingly secure and furnish the report from the said two member committee within one month by e-mail at ngt.filing@gmail.com before the next date (of hearing),” the bench, also comprising Justice S P Wangdi, said.

The matter will be heard next on January 24 next year.

The green panel had earlier asked the apex pollution monitoring body to form a two-member committee to look into the matter and take appropriate action in accordance with law.

“The North Delhi Municipal Corporation, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, South Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) and Delhi Development Authority will cooperate and provide all assistance to the Committee constituted by the CPCB,” the bench has said.

The tribunal had directed the committee to submit its report on the issue within two months to a panel comprising former Delhi chief secretary Shailaja Chandra and retired NGT expert member Bikram Singh Sajwan.

“The committee may take further action as may be found necessary, subject to further order of this tribunal,” it had said.

The order had come on the basis of a news report, alleging thousands of polluting industries are being brazenly run right under the nose of authorities. The report had said DSIIDC recently listed 51,837 units operating from non-conforming/residential areas and asked the three municipal corporations to initiate action against them.