'Further Mayapuri sealing after assessing law & order situation'

NEW DELHI: Two days after the Delhi High Court directed a stay on further sealing at Mayapuri till the next hearing, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee on Wednesday observed that after assessing law and order situation any further sealing will happen. The DPCC also said that they will follow HC and NGT order on the matter. "DPCC is committed to enforcing all directions of NGT and Judicial Courts and taking effective steps for controlling pollution in Delhi," noted a statement.

"The sealing operations were hampered by the outbreak of violence. SDM Delhi Cantt. and DC West Zone (SDMC)/ Nodal Officer STF have informed that further decision on sealing operations may be taken after assessing the law and order situation," a DPCC press statement noted. It added that five teams for undertaking the sealing operations on were constituted, consisting of officials from Revenue Department, MCD, Delhi Police and DPCC.

"DPCC has issued directions to SDMC, DSIIDC, Delhi Police and Divisional Commissioner to take necessary action to remove encroachments and to close illegal dismantling unit immediately so as to comply with directions of NGT," it noted. It added that In compliance of the directions passed by National Green Tribunal (NGT) DPCC had issued an order constituting Special Task Force (STF) headed by Deputy Commissioner, West Zone of South DMC.

"Nodal officer of the survey team was SDM , Delhi Cantt. As per the survey, 85 to 95 % occupiers were found engaged in commercial activity and it was observed that illegal activities were taking place on public land or roads, directly or indirectly in connivance of the occupiers thereby causing health hazard and extreme pollution in the area," noted the statement.

DPCC has issued closure directions and got physically sealed 24 industrial units out of total 47 which were operating without valid consent to operate from DPCC, irrespective of the fact whether they were involved in illegal vehicle scrapping inside or outside their premises.

Clashes broke out between locals in Delhi's Mayapuri and police officials during a drive to seal illegal scrap factories following an NGT order on Sunday.