Delhi govt worried about everything except environment: NGT

NGT expressed displeasure that Delhi government and municipal corporations were not unanimous over the total quantum of waste generated

New Delhi, Nov 30: Paucity of data and lack of information over quantity of waste generated per capita in the city on Wednesday irked the National Green Tribunal, which chided the Delhi government for being "worried about everything except environment."

The green panel expressed displeasure that Delhi government and municipal corporations were not unanimous over the total quantum of waste generated in the national capital and whenever any enquiry is made by NGT, they ask for time "to seek instructions".

"What are you (Delhi government) people doing? It is your job to collect data. Tell us how much municipal solid waste is generated in the national capital daily. This is something you are not concerned about, which is causing great havoc in the environment.

"There is mosquito breeding, dengue, different kinds of viral fever and you people are worried about everything except environment. There has to be some sense of responsibility," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The observation came during the hearing of a plea filed by Sukhdev Vihar Residents Welfare Association praying for closure of waste-to-energy plant alleging that it uses illegal mass burning technology which causes air pollution.

On the last date of hearing, residents of the city's Sukhdev Vihar area had told the National Green Tribunal that the Okhla waste-to-energy plant in South Delhi should be immediately shut down as it violated Delhi Master Plan 2021.

The tribunal had earlier rapped the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) over "inaccurate" data on various kinds of waste generated in the national capital daily.

In its application, the association had also told NGT that as per observations of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, mass burning technology should be stopped immediately.

PTI