Panel formed to monitor Kaushambi pollution

: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a panel comprising officials of the pollution control boards of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to examine air quality, noise pollution and traffic congestion near the Kaushambi bus terminal on the Delhi border and asked it to submit an analysis report.

“Report regarding analysis of traffic congestion should also be filed within two weeks thereafter. List the matter for further direction on March 17,” the Bench said.

Prevention measures

A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Swatanter Kumar also directed the committee comprising senior officers of the Delhi Pollution Control Board and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board to visit the affected areas and “formulate short-term and long-term action plans to ensure prevention and control of pollution”.

The Bench was hearing a contempt plea filed by Kaushambi Apartments Residents’ Welfare Association in which they had contended that despite the Tribunal’s order, the authorities had failed to remove encroachments near the bus terminal.

Advocate Bhumika Kapoor, who appeared for the applicants, sought initiation of contempt proceedings against the authorities and said the pollution level in the area was very high due to the presence of two bus terminals (Anand Vihar and Kaushambi) within 200 metres of each other.