The Delhi Government and the civic bodies were directed by National Green Tribunal (NGT) to ensure that drains in Southeast Delhi’s Maharani Bagh, a posh locality, were properly cleaned and made free from any kind of obstruction. Response of the state government, South Delhi Municipal Corporation and the Delhi Development Authority has been sought in that regard by a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar.
The bench, which also comprised Justice Jawad Rahim, observed: “We have heard the counsel appearing for the respective respondents. The counsel submitted that they (respondents) would place the matter before competent authority for issuance of appropriate directions in relation to cleaning of drains in Maharani Bagh. Therefore, we dispose of this application with direction to all the three respondents to ensure that the drains in Maharani Bagh are cleaned without further delay.”
The plea seeking immediate cleaning of the drains in the Maharani Bagh area was filed by the Senior Citizens Service Forum, an NGO.
The NGO alleged through the plea that the authorities concerned had turned a “blind eye” to dirty drains that consequently became a breeding ground for mosquitoes in the area.