NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has banned throwing of all kinds of waste into the Hindon canal, saying its pollution is a matter of "serious" concern.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said the "prohibitory" orders will equally apply to persons and public authorities including Uttar Pradesh as it flows through the state.
Slamming the authorities for not cleaning municipal solid waste from the canal and "shifting" responsibility in this regard, the green panel directed them to ensure that clean and decent environment is provided to the residents living along the canal.
The tribunal also constituted a committee of officers and asked it to submit a status report, including remedial measures which were needed.
"From the records before us it is evident that all public authorities without exception are shifting responsibility on one pretext or the other. It is unfortunate that in a matter of environment and public health, the approach of the authorities should be such....
"We restrain and prohibit any corporation, authority, public body or any of its workers/officers from throwing any municipal solid waste and other waste into the Hindon canal," the bench said.
The tribunal constituted a committee of officers nominated by DDA-Vice Chairman, Commissioner of East Delhi Municipal Corporation, PWD, Delhi, Delhi Jal Board, Uttar Pradesh government and Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
"This committee will conduct inspection of the area in question and submit its status report including the remedial measures that are required to be taken for ensuring that no municipal solid waste or other waste is thrown into the canal," the bench said.
It directed all parties to appear before DDA-Vice Chairman on May 12 at 3 pm while posting the matter for next hearing on May 25.
Advocates Balendu Shekhar and Vivek Jaiswal, appearing for EDMC, assured the bench that the municipal body will ensure the compliance of the order.
The tribunal's direction came while hearing a petition filed by Vasundhara Enclave resident J P Sharma seeking directions to remove municipal waste from the canal.
He alleged that besides municipal waste, construction waste and building debris are also dumped into the canal resulting in water and air pollution.
