NGT Calls for Presence of DDA Vice-Chairman and Others Over Inaction on Delhi Ponds
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New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has summoned the Vice-Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the District Magistrate of West Delhi, and the Managing Director of the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) for their lack of effective action in restoring the ponds located in the national capital.
According to the order issued by a bench led by Justice Sudhir Agarwal, it was noted that “no effective action has been taken” by the relevant authorities, and no evidence has been presented to demonstrate that measures have been or are being executed to bring the ponds back to their original condition.
The bench further highlighted that under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, the District Magistrate serves as the Chairperson of the District Wetland Committee, tasked with ensuring that water bodies are protected against any form of damage, encroachment, or degradation.
Justice Agarwal's bench pointed out that out of the six ponds in question, five are under the jurisdiction of the DDA while one is managed by the DSIIDC.
The tribunal also noted: “On October 25, 2024, a statement was made by the counsel for the DDA claiming that steps had been taken for the restoration of the ponds in their possession, and substantial progress would be made within a month, with a compliance report to follow. However, no such compliance report has been submitted to date.”
Moreover, the NGT remarked that while the DDA's counsel stated that work is ongoing, detailed information was not provided when requested.
In light of these circumstances, with the lack of adequate information presented, the tribunal found it necessary to mandate the personal appearance of the DDA Vice-Chairman, the West Delhi District Magistrate, and the DSIIDC Managing Director at the next hearing.
The matter has been scheduled for a hearing on December 13, during which the authorities may submit the current status regarding the ponds and the actions taken to restore them to their original state.
In May 2022, a letter petition was directed to the NGT concerning the unlawful filling of ponds and their conversion for other projects, infringing on land use rights.
The petition specifically identified the Shangushar, Guga, Johdi, and Guhli ponds and raised concerns about water being diverted from the historic Shishuwala Talab for road construction.
Pointing out that the claims in the application indicated significant environmental degradation due to the destruction of these water bodies, the NGT instructed a joint committee comprising the Central Ground Water Authority, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, and the West Delhi District Commissioner to visit the sites, address the grievances, and submit a factual report along with actions taken.
After it was reported that some ponds had been converted into public parks, the NGT had previously ordered the personal appearance of key officials with relevant documentation.
In submissions made on November 7, the applicant claimed that no restoration efforts were underway at the pond sites and that encroachments continued, noting that BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd had constructed a fenced area within the pond region for a transformer.
