Remove encroachments from green belts in Faridabad: NGT

Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service
Faridabad, March 30

The National Greet Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the removal of encroachments from green belts in some areas of the city in two weeks. It directed the respondents, including the Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) and HUDA (now HSVP), to comply with the deadline.

The NGT in its order of March 27 provided liberty to the petitioners to approach it in case of non-compliance of the directions by the respondents or flouting of the order in future. Varun Sheokand and Akash Hans, both local residents, had filed the petition in 2017.

The petitioners stated that industrialists and commercial unit owners had encroached upon green belts in many areas of the city, including those on the Neelam–Bata road, dividing road of Sectors 13 and 14, and the dividing road of industrial Sectors 22 and 24. They alleged that the authorities concerned overlooked the issue, resulting in pollution and damage to the green belt.

They said while the MCF and HUDA were required to maintain green belts, the commercial interests of those occupying the areas for parking or other purposes seem to have got preference. They also alleged that liquor vends and private stalls had come up in green belts.

Justice Raghuvendra S. Rathore, Judicial Member, and Satyawan Singh Garbyal, expert member of the NGT, in their order said that the respondents shall free this green belt or open space area from any encroachment whatsoever, including parking for cycles, two-wheelers, and four-wheelers. The MCF should remove encroachments in the form of stalls or vends within two weeks. The respondents shall develop the area into a green belt with grass and small bushes or hedges around it to prevent dust or pollution.

“The overall responsibility to ensure the directions issued are complied with in letter and in spirit shall be of the MCF and HUDA,” the NGT oder stated.