The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed that no construction work be undertaken till October 28 with regard to the covering of a 10-km-long Kushak Nala, a stormwater drain in South Delhi as the project had not been given any environment clearance.
A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar refused to entertain the requests of the counsel appearing for South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), which is undertaking the project, that the work not be halted. However, it granted it a week’s time to show if State Environment Impact Assessment Authority’s (SEIAA) clearance is required for the project.
In a separate matter, the Tribunal also sought a response from the Centre and the Delhi Government on a plea questioning whether 250 acres of forest land in Ghittorni in South-West Delhi and area adjoining the Ridge can be used for development of residential and commercial projects, having around 10,000 housing units.
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