HC asks Delhi govt to file report over cleaning of pond

The Delhi High Court today asked the city government to file a status report on a plea seeking cleaning and maintenance of a pond in south-west Delhi here, saying it was concerned with preservation of water bodies.

The counsel for the AAP government sought three weeks time for cleaning the water body.

The bench was hearing a PIL which sought directions to the city government for cleaning and maintenance of the pond in Ghitorni area here.

"We are concerned with the preservation of water bodies in Delhi," a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal said while issuing a notice to the AAP government and posted the matter for hearing on May 25.

The plea filed by south Delhi resident Vedpal alleged that the condition of the pond has deteriorated so much that it has become a dangerous slush of water and wild weeds.

The pond has become a reason for breeding of mosquitoes creating a possibility of an outbreak of diseases, it said.

Referring to a tragic incident due to the non-maintenance of the pond, the petitioner said, "In July 2016, a small boy named Brijesh lost his life, after being trapped in the garbage, slush and wild grass and despite such a tragedy, nothing was done by the government to improve the situation."

It also alleged that the authorities have never made an effort to prevent the encroachments on the pond thereby leaving no space for natural recharge of water in blatant violation of law.