New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority to deposit Rs 50 lakh as environment damage compensation with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee for allegedly contaminating storm water drains on the Samalkha, Dwarka Road.
Justice Navin Chawla, while hearing the matter through video conferencing, has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to deposit the amount with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) within two weeks from August 10. It further directed that the deposit shall be subject to the outcome of the present petition.
The court also issued notice to DPCC, represented by Biraja Mahapatra, and sought its stand on the DDA”s plea within four weeks.
Biraja Mahapatra, counsel appearing for the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, accepted the notice and sought four weeks’ time to file a counter-affidavit. Mahapatra further added: “Order dated 14.11.2019 of this Court passed in WP(C) 10231/2019 titled Delhi Development Authority vs. Delhi Pollution Control Committee Department of Environment, would show that the petitioner admits to water contamination, albeit tries to pass the blame on other entities.”
The order came on DDA”s plea challenging DPCC”s July 10 decision to impose environment damage compensation of Rs 50 lakh on the land owning agency for allegedly spoiling the water quality in the storm water drains installed on the Samalkha-Dwarka Road in south west Delhi.
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Considering the submissions, the bench directed the DDA to deposit the Environmental compensation within two weeks.
The matter will be taken up again on August 29.
– India Legal Bureau