Concerned with rising traffic congestion in the city, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday allowed the construction work on the third phase of Barapullah elevated road connecting south and east Delhi, observing that it was a project aimed at decongesting traffic.
A bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said, “Various issues arise for consideration. Applicant submits it is a construction project in four phases. Third one is in progress while the fourth is still in consideration. The counsel for respondent has submitted that the project is state-of-the-art and is aimed at decongesting traffic.”
The Bench vacated the tribunal’s order last month prohibiting the construction work of the bridge between Sarai Kale Khan and Mayur Vihar without the environmental clearance. “Keeping sustainable development in mind, we vacate our order of October 26,” the Bench said.
While allowing the construction, it also noted that the temporary structures built on the banks of the Yamuna River will be removed once the flyover construction is completed. An NGT Bench had earlier issued notices to the Delhi Government, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the Public Works Department and others on a petition by environment activist Manoj Mishra who had claimed that the project was damaging the floodplains of the river.