NGT Orders Delhi Government To Pay 900 Crore
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Government of Delhi to pay environmental compensation of Rs. 900 crores. This is with respect to an alleged violation of Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, in handling legacy waste, which is to the extent of 3 crores MTs at three landfill sites. This amount has to be used for restoration measures to recover the land which is 10 times the value.
The bench which delivered this order also said any delay in the timeline extending up to the end of the year 2023 is detrimental to the public interest. The timelines are required to be compressed and credible service providers hired who can produce quick results. The plea of the Delhi government is that non-availability of funds is a limiting factor for construction of protection walls around the dumpsites.
There is also a need to strengthen the control room and set up a grievance redressal mechanism accessible to the citizens to extend immediate help in emergencies within a month, said the NGT. They also said that community involvement including welfare associations, educational institutions, volunteers, corporates, charitable and other social organisations, and individuals may be explored. Since one of the obstacles is the delay in getting environmental clearance for expanding waste to the energy plant, NGT directed that expansion of such a project can proceed without clearance but consistent with environment norms.
