A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar
issued notices to the AAP government, the East Delhi Municipal
Corporation (EDMC) and the Public Works Department (PWD), and sought
their reply before July 11.

The Tribunal asked the authorities to
show cause why appropriate action should not be taken against them for
violating its orders.

Issue of responsibility

Appearing
for the EDMC, advocate Balendu Shekhar said although the area falls
under the corporation’s jurisdiction the responsibility of cleaning
drains is with the Irrigation & Flood Control Department of the
Delhi government.

The order came after the NGT took suo motu
cognisance of a media report and photograph showing a drain clogged with
municipal solid waste near a residential area in Seelampur here.

The
Tribunal had earlier said that municipal solid waste is one of the most
serious pollutants in the country, especially in Delhi, and announced a
fine of Rs. 10,000 on those found throwing waste at public places.

The
green panel had said that all authorities are under “statutory”
obligation to ensure that waste is “collected, transported and disposed”
of in accordance with Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, so that it
does not cause public health hazards.