The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has levied a total fine of Rs 50 crore on four housing projects in Ghaziabad district, including the Uttar Pradesh Aawas and Vikas Parishad, for flouting environmental rules.
The NGT was hearing a petition alleging violation of environmental norms by four project proponents (PPs), Uttar Pradesh Aawas and Vikas Parishad (UPAVP), Prateek Realtors India Pvt Ltd, Apex Heights Pvt Ltd and Gaur and Sons India Pvt Ltd in developing construction projects at Ghaziabad.
According to the petition, the major violations include inadequacy of plantations and sewage treatment plants resulting in continuing damage to the environment and public health. A bench of chairperson Justice A K Goel said on consideration of rival versions and reports of the joint committee (comprising state pollution control board and District Magistrate of Ghaziabad formed earlier by the tribunal), we find there are violations which need to be remedied and accountability that needs to be fixed on the polluter pays principles, besides duly utilising compensation amount for restoration of the environment.
The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel then underlined the violations by the four PP’s.
“UPAVP has constructed and sold 1,844 economically weaker section (EWS homes) - 1,376 homes are under Kanshi Ram Scheme and 1,292 homes in Ganga, Yamuna and Hindon Apartments Scheme. None of the said schemes have captive sewage treatment plants (STPs) and sewage is being carried by trunk sewer line and disposed of in open areas and the sewer line is not connected to the terminal STP which is still under construction,” the bench said.