Ansal's Sushant Lok-1 faces threat of being derecognised

Gurugram: The National Green Tribunal has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to issue directions for the closure of Ansal's Sushant Lok for violation of environmental norms. The tribunal has also directed the central pollution body to exercise its powers to recover the damages from the projects as prescribed under the violation of vital environmental acts.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel noted that the project has been constructed without taking consent to operate under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and without requisite environmental clearance. "Rainwater harvesting system has not been provided and groundwater has been extracted without requisite NOC from CGWA (Central Ground Water Authority). Sewage is meeting the stormwater drain. Maintenance is not up to the mark, Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016 have not been complied with. Diesel generator sets are operating without stack height," the bench, also comprising Justice SP Wangdi, noted.

"In spite of the above, part completion certificate has been granted by the Town and Country Planning Department, Haryana," it said. The tribunal also said the CPCB will be at liberty to coordinate with the concerned authorities including the CGWA and the state pollution control board.

The writing on the wall came after a survey by CPCB officials highlighted that 39 illegal water borewells were constructed in the residential colony. It is important to highlight that Gurugram is a city that has massive depletion of groundwater reserves.