National Green Tribunal junks plea to stall work on rapid transit system

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) refused to consider a petition seeking to halt construction works running under the regional rapid transit system to connect the various NCR cities with high-speed rail lines, saying that the project is a public transport project For convenience.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said that no concrete evidence has been provided in the petition in support of claims that it would ruin parks and green areas. The panel of the NGT stated that the applicants have not approached environmental regulators who are obliged to take remedial action in case of violation of environmental norms.

The bench said, "This tribunal cannot proceed further on mere presumption that it would violate the norms of environment." It has been found that the project is for public transport facilities and in response to the applicants notice, the project operators have clearly stated that the norms will be duly complied with and all necessary measures will be taken. "

"We have no doubt that the statutory regulators will ensure such compliance in accordance with the law," the NGT said that the tribunal was hearing a petition filed by Ashwini Sharma and others, including the National Capital Territory Transport Corporation and others. There was a demand to stop construction activities under the Rapid Transit System (RRTS).