Ahead of NGT hearing, Kaushambi residents meet admin to discuss pollution

Particulate matter(PM)2.5 and PM10 levels generally remain four to five times higher than the standard limits in Kaushambi, which is located next to Anand Vihar in Delhi.

Residents of Kaushambi, headed by their apex RWA association KARWA, held a meeting with the district administration about the high levels of pollution in the locality which is home to around 10,000 residents living in 22 high-rises.

Kaushambi is one of the three most polluted areas in the NCR, according to the Environment Pollution Control Authority. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

The KARWA had earlier approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) with a plea against Ghaziabad agencies and later moved a a contempt petition when the directed measures were not implemented.

The next hearing is on November 2, when Ghaziabad district magistrate and other departments will file their status reports about the short-term and long-term measures as directed by the NGT.

“We discussed 13 points related to stopping illegal autos from plying, putting up sound barriers, an action plan for diesel buses, preventing sewage from flowing into stormwater drains and disposing of solid waste, among others,” said VK Mittal, president, KARWA.

The residents said particulate matter(PM)2.5 and PM10 levels generally remain four to five times higher than the standard limits in Kaushambi, which is located next to Anand Vihar in Delhi. The areas of Anand VIhar and Ghaziabad along with Bhiwadi have been termed the most polluted areas of the NCR by the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA).

“All these factors end up polluting our surroundings. Agencies such as the municipal corporation, the transport department and the UP state road transport corporation (UPSRTC) also needs to do their bit to solve our issues,” Mittal said.

The meeting on Friday was held at the district headquarters and chaired by Rajesh Yadav, the additional district magistrate (finance & revenue).

“We have asked the different departments to submit their status report to us by Saturday evening as a compliance report has to be filed before the NGT. The UPSRTC has been asked to stop the use of pressure horns on buses operating from the ISBT in Kaushambi,” Yadav said.

Illegal parking of autorickshaws and buses outside Kaushambi ISBT has also complicated the issues for residents. It is through the efforts of KARWA that the Ghaziabad development authority is preparing an ‘environmental management plan’ which has been assigned to IIT-Roorkee.

The plan will suggest measures to reduce pollution in Kaushambi and Ghaziabad city as a whole.