Pond in Janakpuri: NGT directs Delhi govt to file affidavit

The National Green Tribunal has directed the AAP government and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to inform it about steps taken by them for the protection of a pond in a southwest Delhi colony.
A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim directed the Public Works Department (PWD) of Delhi government and the DDA to file a specific affidavit and apprise the tribunal if they have complied with its September 22, 2017 order.
"Counsel appearing for the DDA, PWD and others seek time to make clear (their) stand with regard to the compliance of the directions issued by this tribunal in dated September 22, 2017.

"Last chance is granted to file a specific statement in the form of affidavit about the compliance to the directions and if there is no compliance the reason thereof," the bench said.
The matter was listed for next hearing on March 1.
The green panel's order came on a plea filed by local residents Rajinder Singh and Hari Prakash seeking restoration of a pond in village Asalatpur Khadar in Janakpuri in southwest Delhi.

The tribunal had earlier restrained the Delhi government from carrying out any construction activity on a pond in the colony after the plea alleged that the authorities were damaging the water body and destroying the green cover there.

The plea had sought execution of its September 22 order directing the Delhi government and other authorities to ensure protection of the pond and pass relevant directions.
"Till date, no order has been passed by any of the respondents. It is submitted that the applicant had sent a letter to respondents informing them about the directions of this tribunal and also about non-compliance with the same since more than four weeks had passed since order was passed. Despite this, the respondents have not taken any step in compliance of order," the plea had alleged.
The petition had claimed that rather than taking any steps for the revival of the pond, the authorities have started construction work at the site and destroyed the existing green cover by using JCBs (mechanical excavators).

"Pass an order imposing penalty under Section 28 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 on the respondents for the failing to comply with the directions contained in order," the plea had sought.