NGT directs DTC to halt construction on Najafgarh pond land
NGT
) has directed the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to immediately stop construction activities on a designated water body in Najafgarh, southwest Delhi, following allegations of illegal encroachment.
According to the plea before the tribunal, DTC constructed a terminal and a multi-storey commercial building on a gram sabha-owned pond (johar) without obtaining necessary clearances. The district magistrate of south-west Delhi later confirmed that the land in question is a recorded water body and no legal approval had been granted for the construction.
In an order dated July 4, a bench led by NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava observed that the 30 bigha and 5 biswa plot had been encroached upon, in violation of environmental norms.
The tribunal noted that no Change of Land Use (CLU) approval or No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Forest Department had been submitted for the project.
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The NGT also pointed out that the land falls under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, which restrict activities like construction and land conversion on notified wetlands.
DDA informed NGT that the pond was handed over to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (now MCD) in 2016, and that the civic body is responsible for its upkeep.
The tribunal ordered: "All the concerned respondents are granted two weeks' time to file their replies. Till the next date of hearing, DTC shall ensure that no further construction is carried out on the water body in question." TNN
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