The Times of India              24.05.2013

DDA told to remove rubbish from Yamuna bed by July 17

While hearing the case of Manoj Misra against the Union of India over dumping of debris on the Yamuna river bed, a five-member bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar also observed that affidavits submitted by government departments and Delhi Metro stating how much debris had been dumped by each of them and what had been done to remove it from the riverbed were incorrect.

"Affidavits on behalf of the public authorities including DDA, PWD, CPWD, DMRC, state of Uttar Pradesh and different corporations have been filed and we have no hesitation in noticing that these affidavits are entirely incorrect and do not comply with the directions contained in our orders," the order says.

The court has now asked all heads of department including the vice-chairman of DDA, directors general of CPWD and PWD, chief secretaries of UP and Delhi and municipal commissioners of Delhi to file fresh affidavits stating how much debris, construction and demolition waste has been generated by each agency in the last 10 years, where this debris has been dumped as per the their contracts and a list of contractors hired by these authorities who have worked on different projects and the payments made to each.

The affidavits are to include steps taken for removal of the debris till May 23 and the extent of removal of debris till the next date of hearing on July 17. The affidavits are to be submitted in court within the next six weeks.