The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday said it might pass orders on Wednesday on the plea of restaurant owners seeking reopening of their establishments in Delhi’s upmarket Hauz Khas Village which were shut down five days ago for running without proper clearance and discharging untreated waste.
A bench headed by Justice P Jyothimani agreed to give an early hearing to the plea of the restaurant owners after they claimed that many of them have installed effluent treatment plants (ETPs), others are in the process of doing so and delay in allowing them to operate would affect the livelihoods of their employees, most of whom are daily wage-earners.
The tribunal, however, observed that in this particular matter there has been ‘flagrant violation’ of the norms and it will allow the eateries to function only if they are able to satisfy the bench that they have been complying with all the rules and regulations.
The proceedings saw high drama as many eatery owners who came to the Tribunal became emotional during the hearing and pleaded with folded hands before the bench that they be allowed to run
their restaurants.
The bench, however, said its intention is not to shut down the eateries but to ensure the ‘environment is protected, people get hygienic food, the archaeological status of the area is maintained and
proper licensing measures’ are there.
The NGT said its interim order will remain in force till Wednesday and directed Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to inspect the eateries during the day and ascertain which of them have installed ETPs.