Audit all govt buildings: NGT NEW DELHI:

The NGT on Wednesday directed environment audit of all the government buildings, including offices and hospitals, in Delhi to control pollution so that public health is not adversely affected. The Bench passed the directions while observing that “right to clean environment is a fundamental right and every citizen, wherever he goes, has a right to receive decent environment”. 

“Being aware of the seriousness of environment problem in Delhi, particularly air pollution, we direct all government buildings, including offices, hospitals, schools and colleges, shall be subjected to minimum environment audit. “This will include collection and dispensation of solid waste, indoor air quality system and sewage system,” a Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Swatanter Kumar said. 

The Bench also comprising judicial members, justices U D Salvi and Raghuvendra S Rathore, and expert members Bikram Singh Sajwan and Ajay A Deshpande, however, made it clear that it was “not ordering government buildings to be converted into green buildings”. “The purpose is that every government building should take necessary precautions to control pollution so that no hazardous result follows in relation to public health.