A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel asked the committee to submit a report within a month
NEW DELHI: In lieu of the alleged illegal sand mining in Yamuna river, NGT has formed a committee to probe into the matter. The decision took place after Delhi Jal Board chief executive officer moved the green panel on the issue.
A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel asked the committee to submit a report within a month.
“Let the District Magistrate, Delhi, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) look into the matter and take appropriate action in accordance with law and furnish a report to this tribunal within one month from the date of receipt of copy of this order by e-mail,” the bench said.
The DPCC will be the primary agency for compliance. The tribunal also directed DPCC, CPCB and District Magistrate will receive a copy of the order and the complaint by e-mail.
“Needless to say, the order of the National Green Tribunal is binding as a decree of court. Non-compliance is actionable by way of punitive action, inluding prosecution. This is in accordance with the terms of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010,” the bench said while posting the matter for hearing on December 5.
The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by the Delhi Jal Board CEO Anil Kumar Singh. It alleged that a blockade is being built 17 kilometres downstream of Tajewala barrage. The confluence of rivers Somb and Yamuna host the blocade.
This will obstruct the flow of the said rivers. Undertaking of illegal sand mining will follow, the plea said.
The green panel had earlier said that pollution in Yamuna was of serious concern. Highly contaminating industrial effluent and sewage pollute the river.