NGT: Continuous Monitoring Required To Contain Pollution Around AIIMS; Seeks Compliance Report

NGT: Continuous Monitoring Required To Contain Pollution Around AIIMS; Seeks Compliance Report

Seeks subsequent information by the middle of next year

The New Delhi Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a fresh compliance report after six months on the directions issued for controlling pollution around the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and other government hospitals.

In July, NGT issued a slew of directions to curb illegal encroachment near AIIMS.

A five-member joint committee headed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Health was constituted to develop the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), aimed at reducing pollution in and around all government district hospitals or hospitals larger than district hospitals, including medical colleges.

A bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member) stated, “Continuous monitoring and compliance of the directions issued by the tribunal is required by the competent authorities. Therefore, we call for a fresh report on compliance with the directions contained in the 03.07.2023 order from the concerned authorities after six months.”

NGT noted that the DCP, South District, New Delhi had filed a report, which stated, “Programs were being conducted to remove illegal encroachments with the collaboration of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and steps have been taken to prohibit any kind of re-encroachments.”

The tribunal observed that the action-taken report was also filed by the AIIMS. The report read, “Disclosing point-wise compliance pertaining to the security and the fire department, regarding DG sets installed in various locations; proposal relating to multi-level car parking, action regarding bio-medical and solid waste, and Environment Management Plan outside AIIMS, etc.”

The NGT also noted the submission of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic Southern Range, providing the details of the action taken by the Delhi Traffic Police and the report filed by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). The report provided details of the action taken for traffic management outside AIIMS, encroachments on the right of way, and green belts outside the hospital.

Thus, while disposing of the plea, the tribunal directed that the report be filed before 15 May 2024.