Steel picking units are prohibited in capital’s residential areas: NGT

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), observing the Master Plan Delhi (MPD) 2021, said that the steel picking units cannot operate in the residential areas as the Master Plan 2021 listed them under the list of prohibited activities. The tribunal, therefore, dismissed review pleas moved by the Government of Delhi and the industries found violating the norms.

The green panel gave the directions in response to a plea seeking execution of a previous NGT order that directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take action against steel picking units operating in residential areas across the capital. 

A bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, NGT Chairperson, said that there was no study warranting amendment of the master plan. The area was polluted and hazardous waste in huge amounts had already been generated which was not being disposed of scientifically. This was  harming the environment, including the Yamuna, and public health.

The tribunal, to assess the environmental damage cause to the environment since June 2008,  directed an expert panel comprising representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and IIT Roorkee.

“Even if MPD-2021is amended later, there is no right to cause pollution by an industry in view of statutory provisions… On this basis, the regulatory authorities are to take action for recovering compensation after identifying the polluters… Compensation may be assessed following the formula evolved by the CPCB,” the bench said. The bench further observed that an inspection carried out in initial months of this year had shown that the Wazirpur area is highly polluted.

The NGT directed the committee to furnish a report by October 31 and asked the chief secretary of Delhi to suggest alternative monitoring methods for the purpose.