A National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench, headed by chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar, has granted a last opportunity to the Delhi government, to submit a report on rainwater harvesting systems in government buildings, bridges and flyovers and warned of summoning the secretary concerned, in case of default of its order.
“Despite repeated orders, the status report has not been filed by the NCT of Delhi. By way of last opportunity, the report is to be filed within one week. In the event of default, the concerned secretary of NCT of Delhi shall be present before the tribunal, on the next date of hearing,” the bench, also comprising justice Jawad Rahim, said.
See also: NGT slaps fine on four builders over faulty rainwater harvesting systems
The green panel also asked the applicant in the case, to file a response to the report of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), which has already been filed, as well as report of NCT of Delhi that will be filed within one week. The tribunal had earlier directed the centre and other public authorities, to ensure that rainwater harvesting systems are installed in every project, including flyovers, bridges or any other construction activity carried out by the government.
It had asked the centre, the Delhi government and all public authorities, to ensure that no project is approved without a specific stipulation in the tender documents that they would have to construct adequate capacity rainwater harvesting systems, as part of their project. The directions came during the hearing of a petition filed by Mehrauli resident Vinod Kumar Jain, who wanted orders to make it compulsory for all government building of 100 sq metres and above, to have rainwater harvesting through storage of rainwater.
