New Delhi:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has reduced the fine imposed on offenders caught dumping waste on railway property in the national capital.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar decreased the amount to Rs 1,000 from Rs 5000 after 15 violators told the Tribunal that they were not responsible for throwing waste on the railway property and were operating shops far away from the tracks.
They also told the bench that they would take every effort to keep the area clean and ensure that other people do not throw waste around their property.
"Counsel for the noticees says that on their own accord they would pay a sum of Rs 1,000 to the railway authorities who will place major dust bins for dumping of waste in that area.
"Therefore, we issue directions to railway authority that it would place dust bins in coordination with the North Delhi Municipal Council under whose jurisdiction the area falls. All these noticees will pay Rs 1,000 as offered by them," the bench said while making it clear that this amount would be spent for keeping the area clean.
During the hearing, the counsel appearing for railways told the bench that the area from New Delhi to Subzi Mandi is being kept "absolutely" clean and they have also earmarked the area between the Sabzi Mandi to Azadpur as the second phase.
On the issue of rehabilitation of slum clusters located within the safety zone of the railway property, the Delhi government informed the bench it would submit a detailed report within one week.
The matter is listed for next hearing on October 6.
Railway authorities had fined 66 people who were found to be throwing garbage and other waste on the railway tracks and were directed to pay Rs 5,000 in terms of the orders of the Tribunal as per polluter pays principle.
When they refused to pay Rs 5,000 fine, the Tribunal issued notice to 66 offenders and directed them to appear before it and show cause why they not be directed to pay the fine.
Cracking the whip on those littering on railway platforms and tracks, the Tribunal had announced a fine of Rs 5,000 on people spotted throwing waste in these areas.
The green bench had also taken a stern view on houses constructed near railway tracks and directed that if any municipal solid waste is found on tracks, each person living in those houses shall be liable to pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for causing pollution.