Pollution Around AIIMS: “Continuous Monitoring Required”, NGT Calls For Fresh Compliance Report

The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a fresh compliance report after six months, with respect to the directions issued in July, pertaining to controlling pollution around AIIMS, New Delhi and other government hospitals.

In July, NGT issued slew of directions to curb illegal encroachment near AIIMS. A five-member joint committee headed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Health to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) was constituted, aimed at reducing pollution in and around all government district hospitals or hospitals larger than district hospitals, including medical colleges.

A bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A. Senthil Vel said, “We are of the view that continuous monitoring and compliance of the directions issued by the Tribunal is required by the competent authorities, therefore, we call for a fresh report in respect of compliance

of the directions contained in the order of the Tribunal dated 03.07.2023 from the concerned authorities after six months.”

The Tribunal noted that the DCP, South District, New Delhi has filed the report stating that the “encroachment removal programmes were being conducted to remove the illegal encroachments with the collaboration of MCD and steps have been taken to prohibit any kind of re-encroachments.”

It further observed that action taken report has also been filed by the “AIIMS disclosing point-wise compliance pertaining to Security and Fire Department, regarding DG sets installed in various locations, proposal relating to multilevel car parking, action regarding bio-medical and solid waste and Environment Management Plan outside AIIMS etc.”

The NGT also took note of the submission of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic Southern Range, giving the details of the action taken by the Delhi Traffic Police and the report filed by the NDMC stating the details of the action taken for traffic management outside AIIMS, encroachments on right of way and green belts outside AIIMS.

While disposing of the plea the Tribunal directed to file the report by May 15, 2024.

Title: Gaurav Sharma v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors.