The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday stayed the construction of a club and kiosks by the Ghaziabad Development Authority on a green space along a posh residential colony.
Giving its interim verdict, the NGT said the right to file a reply was forfeited, after the respondents ignored earlier directions to file a reply during five hearings in the last five months.
The respondents -- GDA, Housing Board, UPSIDC, UP Pollution Control Board and Municipal Corporation -- were asked to file a reply on a petition by the Society for Protection of Environment and Biodiversity through its president Akash Vashishtha and another individual Sushil Raghav.
The respondents continued seeking time to file a reply.
On Wednesday, the green court getting, angered by the delaying tactics, said the right to file a reply has been forfeited, and ordered a stay on the construction.
The petition raised the issue of encroachment on the green belt, and dumping of rubble and hazardous waste on green belts across the city.
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The petitioner prayed to the NGT to demolish and remove illegal structures being built on green belts, and stop disposal of solid waste and discharge of sewage, and order afforestation on a massive scale.
It also sought all records of plantation in the last 10 years.