NGT penalises 3 Gurugram builders for damaging environment

Tribune News Service
Gurugram, March 28

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped an interim penalty of Rs 10 crore on three builders for damaging environment. 

The tribunal took a note of the fact that that Ansal Buildwell Ltd, its sister concern Aadharshilla Towers Private Ltd and Rigoss Estate Networks Private Ltd had not obtained consent to establish and operate in Sushant Lok 2 and 3, as required under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

The builders will have to furnish performance guarantee of Rs 5 crore to the satisfaction of the CPCB within a month, undertaking to comply with the statutory norms within three months.

The Bench noted that completion certificate has not been granted till date as green belt has not been developed as per norms and even rain water harvesting system was not maintained in addition to mandatory solid waste management. 

The tribunal further said it was surprised that in spite of the report submitted about five months ago showing violation of law, no action has been taken by the statutory authorities especially state pollution control board.

The penality was imposed while hearing the plea filed by local residents Rajendra Kumar Goel, Bala Yadav and others who alleged builders have encroached on the green belt, the open area meant for park, roads, etc., with the connivance of the authorities. 

“They developed huge housing/residential township project on 200 acres of land without obtaining environmental clearance. The area has already been sold except 30 per cent which is of the value of more than Rs 1,000 crore. 45 per cent of the area is required to be left for parks, green belts, etc. which has not been done. Illegal activities have resulted in air pollution. There is no proper garbage disposal system. Sewage is being discharged into a drain which is connected to river Yamuna,” the plea alleged.

The bench further directed pollution control board to take appropriate preventive and remedial action, including prosecution, recovery of damages and compliance of requirement of proper waste management, installation of rain water harvesting system, ground water recharge system, stopping of illegally operating DG sets and closing illegally

operating swimming pools, in accordance with the applicable statutory scheme and submit an action taken report within three months.