NGT stays concretization of roadsides, in Noida & Greater Noida

The National Green Tribunal has stayed the concretization of roadsides and road berms in Noida and Greater Noida over the limits prescribed by authorities.

A bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert Dr. Afroz Ahmad issued notices to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Uttar Pradesh government, Noida, and others on a plea seeking to remove concretization around trees.

”Let notices be issued to the respondents requiring them to file replies specifically responding to all material averments made in the application within two months. ”In the meanwhile, respondents no. 3 and 4 are directed not to carry out any further act of concretization of roadsides and road berms in Noida and Greater Noida over limits prescribed vide Government order dated March 23, 2018, issued by the State of Uttar Pradesh concurred by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change…,” the bench said.

The tribunal said averments made in the petition raise substantial questions relating to the environment arising out of the implementation of the enactments specified in Schedule-I to the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 and the illegality of the proposed action of respondents.

The green panel passed the order on a plea filed by environment activist Vikrant Tonga and dermatologist Dr. Supriya Mahajan, stating that the Noida and Greater Noida authorities were concretising entire roadsides and green/vegetated road berms in flagrant violation of the orders of the Tribunal and the government orders issued by the state.

The applicants pleaded that reckless, excessive, and indiscriminate concretization of roadsides and road berms is being carried out by the Noida Authority in Sectors 28, 37, 47 50, 55, and 62 of Noida and by Greater Noida Authority.

The petitioners sought directions to plant grass and other vegetation, including shrubs and herbs, on roadsides and road berms in Noida and Greater Noida, after deconcretising them.

Advocate Akash Vashishtha, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that concretization of ground obstructs groundwater recharge and causes loss of biodiversity.

He stated that roadsides and road berms were being concretized in open defiance of the orders of the tribunal.