The National Green Tribunal today took strong exception to the delay by some authorities in submitting their suggestions for construction of a multi-level parking facility in Lajpat Nagar here saying “you cannot play around with our orders”.
A bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar while hearing a petition related to vehicular pollution in Delhi said, “Air quality in Delhi is very bad. Do you even have the idea that deteriorating air quality will have an adverse impact on the health of foetuses, newborn babies in the next five years.
“Stop making mockery of the courts. We don’t pass any order on our whims. We have experts members with us. We have not passed any random judgement. We have taken three months time to pass this order. You cannot play around with our orders.”
The observations came after the authorities concerned informed the tribunal that were yet to convene a meeting of stakeholders in order to identify a site for construction of the multi-level parking in Lajpat Nagar.
“Have you seen the CPCB report which indicates the ambient air quality of Delhi. We still have to initiate action to curb air pollution while other countries like China have already started it. They have time to hold meetings but you don’t have. Your difficulties will never be solved because you don’t have the intention to do it,” the bench said.
The tribunal also came down heavily on Delhi government Municipal Corporation, Delhi Development Authority and Public Works Department (PWD) for failing to submit their recommendations on charging higher parking, registration fee and congestion charges in the capital besides a methodology for introducing pool car and providing incentives in this regard.
It also pulled up the Municipal Corporation for “sitting over” Rs 120 crore given to it by Lajpat Nagar shopkeepers in 2006 for construction of parking areas.
The tribunal issued notice to PWD Secretary and other authorities concerned to show cause why contempt proceedings shall not be initiated against them for not complying to its orders.
