Gurgaon: NGT seek status report on Wazirabad bundh

The NGT was hearing a plea of a petitioner regarding concreting of natural drains in the city. The NGT also asked the Huda to submit a report on the impact of concreting natural drains in the city.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday directed the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) and the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) to submit status reports on the Wazirabad bundh in Sector 53.

The tribunal also asked the Huda to submit a report on the impact of concreting natural drains in the city. (HT File)

The green court was hearing a plea of a petitioner regarding concreting of natural drains in the city.

The petition was filed by Vinod Chopra of DLF Phase 4 requesting to deconcrete the natural drain.

The Huda, however, said most of the concreting work has been completed and deconcreting it will further make the entire stretch chaotic.

The next hearing is on March 10 and the NGT also asked the Huda to submit a report on the impact of concreting natural drains in the city.

On February 3, the tribunal had sought an assessment report on whether the concreting of natural drains stands to benefit the city and its people in the long run. However, the Huda is yet to submit a report.

In the plea, Chopra had stated that many of Gurgaon’s natural stormwater drains are missing, and have possibly been filled to build commercial and residential complexes and create more parking space. It is a major concern as the city’s groundwater table has been depleting in the last couple of years.

The NGT had asked both parties to submit their findings and notes highlighting their concerns by the next date of hearing.

Of the 63 bundhs in the city, reported by the Huda last year, only four — Jharsa Bundh, Khol bundh, Dumduma Canal bundh and Gurgaon Canal — have been spared of being filled or a concrete makeover.

In an earlier order, the NGT had said, “Natural drains must be kept clean and obstruction-free. No rainwater drain should be covered or used to carry sewage.”

“Gurgaon gets flooded during the monsoon every year because of the flaws in the development work. The civic authorities are unable to see the upcoming disaster,” Chopra said.

In 2016, before moving the NGT, Chopra had written to the Huda, MCG, forest department and the deputy commissioner’s office seeking corrective measures. However, when he failed to get any response, Chopra approached the green court.