This story is from October 26, 2018

NGT forms special task force to tackle Delhi’s Mayapuri scrap menace

NGT forms special task force to tackle Delhi’s Mayapuri scrap menace
NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has constituted a seven-member special task force to take action against units involved in illegally dismantling heavy vehicle at the scrap metal market in west Delhi’s Mayapuri. The NGT order followed a TOI report on how the business was operating there in violation of all pollution norms.
A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said on Thursday that the STF will comprise representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (DSIIDC), South Delhi Municipal Corporation, the district magistrate and district police head.
It will report to the chief secretary of Delhi, who will monitor its work at least once a month.
The green court said the district magistrate of SDMC’s west zone will be the nodal officer for coordinating all measures. “Proceedings have been initiated in view of the news item to the effect that there is scrap business at Mayapuri, Delhi, worth Rs 6,000 crore per annum,” court noted and added, “The STF may forthwith take steps for stopping illegal activities and initiate proceedings against those identified being involved in contributing to pollution.”
The green tribunal directed the Delhi chief secretary to submit a report by email about all steps taken on or before December 31 to be considered by it on January 28 next year.
On October 21, TOI had reported that DDA, DPCC, DSIIDC and SDMC had failed to take steps to stop illegal activities like dismantling metal equipment, burning of toxic industrial waste and use of gas and electric cutters, all resulted in the spewing of polluting fumes. NGT had earlier stopped units in this area from carrying on such activities without clearance from DPCC and authorisation from the competent authority dealing with hazardous waste.
According to a 2013 report by NGO Toxics Link, there are over one lakh industrial units operating in unauthorised, non-conforming zones located across Delhi. These deal with highly polluting chemical, rubber, metal, asbestos, and plastic factories. In residential areas in Okhla, Patparganj, Mayapuri, Naraina, Samaypur Badli, Najafgarh, Ghazipur, Libaspur, Anand Parbat, Mandoli, Wazirpur, Yamuna Vihar, Shastri Park, Mustafabad and Vishwas Nagar, these units had unacceptable environmental impacts.
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