The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of a news item on the death of a 13-year-old boy who drowned in an open drain filled with garbage and filth in Rajendra Nagar Extension area of Delhi.
According to the article, despite efforts by passersby to rescue him, the thick layer of sludge made it impossible to reach him.
The drain, which had not been cleaned for months, was filled with murky green water and covered with layers of silt and muck.
The article alleges that despite repeated complaints to the local authorities, no action has been taken to cover the drain, resulting in the tragic loss of life.
The NGT has impleaded several respondents, including the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the Central Pollution Control Board, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Delhi, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and the District Magistrate (West Delhi).
The Principal Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava as the Chairperson, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi as Judicial Members and Dr Afroz Ahmad has directed the respondents to file their responses/replies by way of affidavit at least one week before the next date of hearing.
The NGT’s order highlights the importance of addressing environmental issues and ensuring compliance with environmental norms and regulations.
The matter raises substantial issues relating to compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for January 13, 2025.
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