Gas leak: NGT raps govt, pvt agencies

Taking suo moto cognizance of the Tughlakabad chemical leak, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), on Monday, issued notices to a host of government agencies and the company that imported the chemicals observing that an emergency response had to be carried out to check the environmental degradation.

The notices were sent to the environment ministry, Delhi government, Container Corporation of India, Delhi Development Authority, and the Railway Board.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar served the notices after advocate Sanjay Upadhyay mentioned about the gas leak and a pending matter about shifting of the container terminal from Tughlakabad.

Among the several explanations sought, the NGT has asked the Inland Container Terminal authorities and Municipal Corporation of Delhi, as to why they should not be made liable to pay environment compensation for the leak under Environment Protection Act. Violation of the Environment Protection Act can attract prosecution against both public authorities and private agencies and can even lead to imprisonment.

The Bench directed that the vehicle which was carrying the chemical will be kept attached with the police station. It has also asked the Container Corporation of India and the owner of the vehicle as to why they should not be prohibited from entering the terminal at Tughlakabad.

The bench has granted one week to all the respondents to file their replies and has appointed senior advocate IK Kapila as amicus curiae in the matter.

Besides seeking a response on the notice, the NGT has also directed Central Pollution Control Board and Delhi Pollution Control Committee to conduct a joint inspection and submit a status report about the vehicle that was carrying the chemicals.

WHAT NGT SAID

• The notices were sent to the environment ministry, Delhi govt, DDA, and the Railway Board.
   
• The Bench directed that the vehicle which was carrying the chemical will be kept attached with the police station.