The worsening ambient air quality near Kaushambi township on Delhi-UP border has prompted the National Green Tribunal to direct Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to inform it about the steps it was taking to check air pollution in the area.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked DMRC to file an affidavit stating the steps it was taking to ensure that it does not generate air pollution from its yard near Sahibabad Industrial area.
“DMRC shall file an affidavit as to what appropriate steps are they taking to ensure that it does not generate air pollution from its yard in the Sahibabad Industrial area. It is stated to be located quite close to Kaushambi area,” the bench said.
It also directed Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board to file a status report on steps it has taken regarding pollution, dumping of municipal solid waste and generation of air pollution by other means.
The matter was listed for next hearing on November 11.
Earlier, the bench had directed Uttar Pradesh government to take immediate steps for reducing vehicular congestion in the area and consider introduction of CNG buses.
It had directed the state’s Transport Secretary to hold a meeting with officials of Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation in this regard and deliberate on the mechanism to decongest the area near Kaushambi bus depot.
Taking strong note of air pollution near the Kaushambi Bus Terminal on the Delhi border, the tribunal had imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on the public authorities in Ghaziabad for “failing to discharge their statutory duties”.
The green panel was hearing a petition filed by Kaushambi Apartments Residents Welfare Association which had contended that the presence of two bus terminus (Anand Vihar and Kaushambi) within 200 metres of each other had aggravated air pollution in the area.
( Source – PTI )
