Resolve sewage overflow in Indirapuram, HC tells Gzb authority

In response to a PIL, the Allahabad high court has directed officials of the Ghaziabad development authority (GDA) to hold a meeting and look into the issue of overflowing sewers and drains in Indirapuram.

The Allahabad high court has directed officials of the Ghaziabad development authority (GDA) to hold a meeting and look into the issue of overflowing sewers and drains in the prime locality of Indirapuram in Ghaziabad.

A group residents had moved a PIL in the Allahabad high court regarding overflowing sewers and drains. (Representative Photo)

The court directions came after the federation of apartment owners’ association moved a public interest litigation (PIL) pointing out difficulties faced by residents due to sewage overflow.

“… We direct the second respondent (GDA) to convene a meeting with the representatives of the petitioner so that the grievance can be duly scrutinized and such action, as is required to redress the issues raised, can be initiated by the second respondent,” a bench of Allahabad high court Chief Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud and Justice Yashwant Varma said in the order.

The court disposed of the petition stating that the petitioner was open to adopt suitable remedies, including filing of fresh writ petition in the future, if necessary.

The federation had moved the PIL after they made a formal representation to the GDA vice-chairman on December 27, 2015.

Other residents also complained that the issue of overflow has been persistent in their areas for the past several years. They hoped the authority would comply with the court directions at the earliest.

“The original lines were laid keeping in mind the old floor area ratio (FAR). Later, they were not upgraded as per the new FAR. Some highrises are in low-lying areas. The only solution is to revamp the infrastructure,” said Sudeepta Pal, Indirapuram resident.

On their part, GDA officials said they would comply with the court’s directions.

“Once we get the order, we will take up and refer the issue to our engineering department. The resolution of the issues will be expedited,” said Dayanand Prasad, GDA officer on special duty.