NGT seeks NDMC reply on Azadpur

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal  (NGT) has directed the North Delhi Municipal Corporation to file its response within a week on a plea alleging that encroachments have led to traffic congestion and air pollution in Azadpur.  

A bench headed by acting NGT chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim, which had issued notices to the AAP government, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, granted the corporation an opportunity to file a reply after advocate Puja Kalra sought more time.

"The counsel for Delhi government submits that it is not required to file any reply to show cause notice and he submits that the reply already filed may be considered. We shall consider whether the National Capital Territory of Delhi could have avoided answering to the show cause notice," the bench said, while posting the matter for May 25.

The green panel had earlier asked the Delhi government and others to show cause why the order passed by Public Grievance Commission has not been complied with regard to Azadpur encroachments.

"In case report is not submitted, we will summon the officers for explanation," the bench had said.

The tribunal was hearing a plea by city residents Sushil Baheti and Ritesh Goel seeking removal of encroachments from Azadpur, saying these were causing traffic congestion. 

The petition, filed through advocate Rahul Khurana, claimed that the  Azadpurt encroachmennts issue raised by the applicants was dealt by the Public Grievances Commission of the Delhi government.

The commission has directed the deputy commissioner (Civil Lines Zone), North Delhi Municipal Corporation to remove encroachments on a regular basis.