In 2012, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, in compliance of Supreme Court orders, had directed closure of these units as they were covered under the prohibited list of industries as per Delhi Master Plan of 2021.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday imposed a hefty cost of Rs50 crores on Delhi government for its inaction and failure in shutting down illegal and polluting steel pickling units in North Delhi's Wazirpur and Badli industrial area that discharge toxic effluents into drains and Yamuna.
The four-member bench, headed by Chairperson Justice AK Goel, ordered closure of these units immediately and directed Delhi government to initiate action for violation of law. The Tribunal said the Delhi government can recover the cost imposed from the errant industries or errant officers and it would have to be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to improve environment in the affected area.
"We also direct the Chief Secretary, Delhi, to constitute a three-member team to identify persons responsible who may be liable to be prosecuted and punished for violation of law," the NGT's order stated. The bench was hearing an execution plea filed by non-profit organisation All India Lokadhikar Sangathan which had alleged that NGT's order were being violated and the units were operating despite government's assurances submitted to the green court
The Tribunal flayed the Delhi government in its order for its failure. "Violation of law is continuing openly brazenly and despite repeated findings by this Tribunal as well as assurances and undertakings...the authorities have assumed that nothing can happen if they continue to defy the law to benefit polluting industries at the cost of public health," the order stated.
The issue of steel pickling units within city limits has been heard before Delhi High Court as well as the NGT in the past. In 2012, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, in compliance of Supreme Court orders, had directed closure of these units as they were covered under the prohibited list of industries as per Delhi Master Plan of 2021. The NGO had also approached NGT in 2016 to seek compliance of its orders but the Delhi government did not follow them either and thus NGT imposed costs for repeatedly failing to enforce orders.
RECOVER THE COST FROM INDUSTRIES
- The four-member bench, headed by Chairperson Justice AK Goel, ordered closure of these units immediately and directed government to initiate action for violation of law
- The Tribunal said the Delhi government can recover the cost imposed from the errant industries or errant officers and it would have to be deposited with the CPCB
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