The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has disposed of an original application registered suo motu, based on a news item related to the chaotic aftermath of a concert by popular singer Diljit Dosanjh held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) in Delhi on October 28, 2023.
The concert left the stadium grounds littered with trash, including broken glass bottles, beer cans, plastic wrappers, and other refuse, causing disruption to the training schedules of Indian athletes.
The NGT noted that the event organizers had damaged athletics equipment belonging to the trainees and that the stadium was not cleaned up and restored to its original state after the event.
The Tribunal observed that considerable time had elapsed since the event and directed the Member Secretary, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), to ensure immediate action for restoration of the stadium to its original position.
The NGT also directed the Member Secretary, DPCC, to clear all the debris and garbage that was dumped during the event within two weeks and to file a report within two months indicating the action taken.
The report should also disclose the policy, if any, existing for the use of such public grounds for musical events and restoration of the grounds after the event.
The Principal Bench, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel, disposed of the OA, directing the Member Secretary, DPCC, to take immediate action to restore the stadium to its original state and to file a report within two months.