New Delhi, February 10 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi Jal Board and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take remedial action in response to a petition alleging improper maintenance of a sewage treatment plant and related health hazards in the affected area.
The NGT heard a petition submitted by a resident welfare association (RWA) in Loni Road, east Delhi, which claimed that a nearby sewage treatment plant (STP) was emitting foul-smelling gases and causing health problems for residents due to lack of proper maintenance.
In an order dated February 9, a bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A Senthil Vel stated that the grievance required proper examination and redressal, to which the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) counsel assured that appropriate action would be taken.
"Therefore, we dispose of the original application, directing the DJB to take appropriate remedial action expeditiously," the bench said.
The member secretary of the DPCC was directed to inspect the STP, collect samples from the discharge point, and ascertain whether the unit was complying with environmental norms.
"If any violation is found, the member secretary will ensure appropriate punitive and remedial action," the NGT said, directing the authorities to comply with the order within eight weeks.
