Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

NGT Slaps Rs 115 Cr Fine On Builders In Kundli For Environmental Compensation

July 18, 2022
Kundli

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed environmental compensation (EC) of Rs 153.66 crore on four builders for violating environmental norms and non-compliance of solid waste management (SWM) standards in six of their projects in Kundli, Sonipat.

The court ordered that the environmental compensation be submitted to the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) within three months.

Kisan Uday Samiti, a registered association of residents of the villages of Sonipat, filed a petition in the NGT alleging violation of environmental norms by not providing adequate drainage and sanitation system in housing societies in Sectors 58 to 64 at Kundli.

The samiti alleged that several groups had constructed housing complexes there, but there was no appropriate infrastructure and sanitation facility for the disposal of sewage and wastewater. The villagers said the builders collected waste in tanks and safety tanks, and then poured it in the open near Nangal Kalan village, causing severe pollution in the area.

Following the complaint, the HSPCB conducted an inquiry under the direction of the NGT and found serious violations of pollution norms.

Following the report, the NGT ordered the recovery of interim compensation of Rs 22.5 crore from the developers of six big projects, including TDI Infrastructure Limited (three projects), CMD Built-Tech Private Limited, Parker Estate Development Private Limited and Narang Constructions and Financiers Private Limited, for violating environmental laws in its order on October 23, 2019.

After the committee’s report, the NGT assessed the environmental compensation. A bench headed by Justice Adarsh ​​Kumar Goel ordered M/s TDI Infrastructure Limited to pay Rs 72 crore for TDI Kingsburry Apatment, Rs 10.8 crore for My Floor 2, Rs 12.28 crore for Tuscan City. It also ordered M/s Parker Estate Development Private Limited to pay Rs 17.1 crore; M/s CMD Built-Tech Private Limited (Ushay Towers), (now Pardesi Developers Private Limited) to pay Rs 40.48 crore and M/s Narang Constructions Private Limited to pay Rs 1 crore as EC.

The NGT has also mandated that this amount be used for environmental rejuvenation and restoration of the area. It said a plan should be prepared within three months and implemented within six months from the date of submission of environmental compensation by the companies.