'Appalling': Delhi High Court Raps Agencies For Lack Of Responsibility In Redeveloping Industrial Areas, Summons Top Officials

The Delhi High Court has rapped the civic agencies in the national capital for refusing to take responsibility for redevelopment of sewage lines and storm water drains regarding 27 industrial areas, calling the situation “appalling.”

A division bench comprising Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Arora summoned top officials of the Delhi Government, including the Chief Secretary, to assist the Court on the concern raised.

“ The presence of the above officials is primarily for them to assist the Court as to how to deal with this situation where neither of the agencies is willing to take responsibility for the construction/development of sewage lines, storm water drains, connections to STPs and CETPs and monitoring thereof,” the Court said.

The officials who have been directed to remain present in the Court are:

- Mr. Rajeev Verma, Chief Secretary of Delhi

- Mr. Bipul Pathak, Additional Chief Secretary, Ministry of Industries, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi

- Ms. Nazuk Kumar, Managing Director, DSIIDC

- Mr. Ashwani Kumar, Commissioner, MCD

- Mr. Sandeep Mishra, Secretary, DPCC

The Court was dealing with two suo motu PILs, including the one initiated by it in 2022 over lack of rainwater harvesting efforts taken by the authorities and huge traffic snarls, especially during monsoon.

Noting that there were no storm water drains or sewage lines in the 27 industrial areas, the Bench noted that there was no clarity between DSIIDC, DJB, MCD and the Ministry of Industries as to which agency was responsible for their re-development.

“It is thus clear that basic facilities of sewage lines and storm water drains are non-existent. Connecting sewage lines to STPs and CETPs would in fact be the next step. Industries are already functioning in these areas and must be resulting in contamination of ground water and whatever water is flowing into the river without treatment. This is an extremely appalling situation,” the Court said.

While summoning the officials, the Bench ordered that the officers may hold a meeting prior to the next date of hearing and submit a report regarding the action plan.

“In the deliberation between the aforementioned officials, the Cabinet's decision dated 22nd August, 2023 shall be taken note of where proper steps were directed for re-development of these areas and there has been no progress since then except appointment of three consultants,” the Court said.

“ If no meaningful decision is placed on record by the abovementioned officials by a joint report, then the above said officials shall remain present in Court physically. However, if a report is filed and the same is brought on record, giving proper solutions, they are given the option to appear virtually on the next date of hearing,” it adder.

The matter wi mow be heard on November 22.

Earlier, the Court had directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to file a joint report highlighting the action plan to be undertaken by them to overcome the shortcomings highlighted by a special committee on the issue of discharge of water from all sewage treatment plants (STPs) into the Yamuna River.

On May 05, the Bench had constituted the Special Committee to conduct onsite inspection of all the 37 STPs.

Previously, the Court had observed its prima facie view that the Sewage Treatment Plants in the national capital were not functioning as per required norms and are releasing raw sewage in Yamuna river.

It had also rapped the civic authorities over the issue of water-logging and said that the drainage system here is “totally pathetic” and is in “very bad state of affairs.”

The suo motu PIL was initiated after the court took note of an article published in the Times of India on June 18, 2022.

Case Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION v. UOI

click here to read order