The National Green Tribunal takes action following the drowning death of a software engineer in Noida, raising questions about environmental compliance and administrative inaction. The NGT has issued directives to various authorities to file responses regarding the incident.
NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal ( NGT ) has initiated suo motu proceedings concerning the tragic drowning death of a software engineer in a waterlogged trench in Noida 's Sector 150. This action raises serious questions about prolonged administrative inaction and environmental non-compliance, prompting the NGT to seek responses from various state and local authorities.
The Principal Bench of the Tribunal, under the leadership of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, passed an order on Thursday (Jan 22), registering an Original Application based on a newspaper report titled “Noida CEO Removed CM orders SIT probe into techie’s Drowning,” published on Jan 20. The NGT's intervention follows the death of Yuvraj Mehta, the software engineer, who reportedly drowned after falling into a water-filled trench while attempting a sharp right-angle turn in foggy conditions at a commercial site. The circumstances surrounding the incident have raised critical concerns about environmental safety and the implementation of existing regulations.\The order provides a detailed account of the events leading up to the tragedy. The land where the incident occurred was originally allocated for a private mall project but had, over nearly a decade, transformed into a pond due to the accumulation of rainwater and wastewater discharged from surrounding housing societies. The NGT’s investigation has brought to light the background, referencing a stormwater management plan prepared by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department in 2015 after carrying out surveys and inspections. This plan proposed constructing a head regulator to divert excess water into the Hindon River. Despite the Noida Authority releasing Rs 13.05 lakh in 2016 for survey and design work, the proposed infrastructure remained unexecuted. The Tribunal also noted that crucial decisions, like the type of gates to be used (hydraulic or pneumatic), were discussed but never put into practice. This delay in implementing the remedial measures led to significant waterlogging throughout the area. Nearby housing societies reportedly experienced flooded basements because stormwater couldn't be discharged into the river because the regulator wasn't functional. The order also captures residents' claims of inaction by the Noida Authority, even as water stagnation continued to pose a risk of backflow into the Hindon during periods of swelling.\The NGT has taken a prima facie view, determining that the facts presented in the news report indicate potential violations of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These violations raise substantial questions about adherence to environmental norms and the execution of statutory obligations under scheduled enactments. The Tribunal also referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors., which acknowledges the NGT's authority to take up matters suo motu when environmental issues of public importance are involved. As a result, the NGT has impleaded the Noida Authority, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, the Irrigation Department of Uttar Pradesh, the Principal Secretary (Environment), Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar as respondents in the case. All authorities have been instructed to submit their responses through affidavits at least one week before the next hearing. The Tribunal also clarified that if any authority files a reply without going through counsel, the concerned official will be required to be virtually present to assist the Bench. This decisive action by the NGT underscores its commitment to environmental protection and holds authorities accountable for their actions and inactions. The proceedings are expected to shed light on the circumstances that led to the software engineer's death and to highlight the urgent need for better environmental management and adherence to regulations in the region. The NGT's investigation sends a clear message about the importance of proactive measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future, thereby ensuring the safety and well-being of the public and the environment
National Green Tribunal NGT Noida Drowning Environmental Compliance Waterlogging Environment
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