National Green Tribunal slaps ₹2 cr Compensation On NHAI For Flouting Environmental Norms

The National Green Tribunal today on Friday has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to pay a compensation of ₹2 crore.

The compensation is for failing to comply with environmental norms while constructing an 8-lane highway from Mukarba Chowk to Singhu border in Delhi.

The tribunal heard a petition claiming the generation of dust because of the non-sprinkling of water at village Khampur and other stretches, and not following the principles of compensatory afforestation and non-compliance with the Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification, and Maintenance) Policy.

A bench of Chairperson Justice AK Goel noted that the tribunal in November last year sought a factual report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the director of the national capital’s environment department.

The bench comprising judicial members Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, along with expert member A Senthil Vel, stated that the joint committee had submitted its report, but despite being provided with an opportunity, NHAI failed to rebut its observations and recommendations. “Air pollution control norms are an essential component of sustainable development and any activity resulting in the generation of dust has to be accompanied by dust control measures which have not been taken,” the bench stated.