NGT fines Delhi govt Rs 50 cr for inaction against illegal steel pickling units

The NGT imposed a fine of Rs 50 crore on Delhi government for failing to take action against polluting stainless steel pickling units in residential areas across the national capital.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday imposed a fine of Rs 50 crore on the Delhi government for failing to take action against polluting stainless steel pickling units in residential areas across the national capital.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Tuesday fined the Delhi government Rs 50 crore for its “failure” to take action against steel pickling units in residential areas as they fall under the prohibited list of industrial activity. (HT file Photo)

The NGT directed the government to shut these industrial units with immediate effect. It also rebuked the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for not filing an affidavit about how these industries had received water and electricity connections and asked it to file an explanation.

Officials in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government said they were yet to study the order and declined to comment.

Steel pickling is the process of removing impurities, such as stains and inorganic contaminants, from the metal, often using strong acids.

Under Delhi Master Plan-2021, steel pickling falls in the list of industrial units and are prohibited in residential areas. The effluents from these are discharged into open drains that ultimately empty into the Yamuna.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Adarsh Kumar Goel pulled up the Delhi government for not closing these units despite specific directions.

DPCC in 2014 issued show-cause notices to around 114 units in Wazirpur Industrial Area for not complying with mandatory pollution standards. The area houses several steel pickling units and a steel market.

Owners of units located in Wazirpur said the few units that were issued notices had already wound up their businesses. Most said such units no longer operated in residential areas.