In a significant environmental oversight development, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed a Noida resident to lodge a formal complaint with the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) regarding alleged environmental violations by his housing society’s builder. This direction was issued during a hearing on November 26, focusing on grievances against the “RG Residency” complex located in Noida’s sector 120.
The tribunal, led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel, heard claims of multiple infractions at the residential complex, which houses 1,540 units. Allegations include the operation of illegal borewells, absence of a plantation cover in designated green areas, unauthorized use of diesel generator sets, non-implementation of rainwater harvesting systems, lack of a solar power system, improper solid waste disposal, open sewage discharge, and the absence of a fire detection system.
Notably, the builder responsible for these alleged breaches was not included as a party in the initial plea. The NGT underscored the necessity of addressing these issues through the proper channels, prompting them to dismiss the original application with the provision that the complainant could approach the UPPCB directly.
The NGT’s order states, “We dispose of the original application permitting the applicant to file an appropriate and detailed complaint along with all supporting material to the member secretary, UPPCB. Upon receiving such a complaint, the board is to verify the accuracy of the allegations and, if any environmental norms are found to be violated, take appropriate remedial action.”
