Dirty water: NGT calls heads of municipal bodies

The Asian Age.

Metros, Delhi

During the hearing, the NGT was informed that two meetings were held in pursuance to December 10, 2015, judgment of the tribunal on the issue.

National Green Tribunal. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday rapped the civic bodies for not submitting data on the quality of water supplied to households across Delhi even after repeated directions.

Taking cognisance of reports that “stinking and dirty” water was flowing through water supply lines and the borewells were pumping out contaminated water, the green panel had earlier sought a response from the authorities.

It had constituted a committee comprising secretary (environment) and representatives from the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and all municipal corporations and had asked them to submit a complete and comprehensive report.

Irked at the approach of the authorities, a bench headed by acting National Green Tribunal chairperson Justice U.D. Salvi, summoned on January 31 the CEO of Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Delhi Cantonment Board, Chairman of Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and Commissioner of New Delhi Municipal Council.

“It is pointed out that organisations DJB, New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Cantonment Board and CGWA were to provide requisite data and that the data has not been collected, collated and analysed so far.

“Let CEO of DJB, CEO of Delhi Cantonment Board, chairman of CGWA and commissioner of New Delhi Municipal Council shall remain present before the tribunal on the next date of hearing January 31,” the bench said.

During the hearing, the NGT was informed that two meetings were held in pursuance to December 10, 2015, judgment of the tribunal on the issue.

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