NGT notice to Centre, Haryana on rail project.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought response from the Centre and the Haryana government on a plea by Gurugram residents against a railway overbridge project being constructed allegedly without prior environment clearance.

The Tribunal was hearing a plea filed by eight Gurugram residents seeking directions to restrain the authorities from cutting trees for construction of four-lane railway overbridge on Delhi-Rewari-Jaipur railway line near Palam Vihar-Bajghera Road.

A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notices to the ministries of environment and road transport, Central Pollution Control Board, the state government, Haryana Urban Development Authority and others while seeking their reply before January 12.

The residents said the project was located near a residential township and claimed that the overbridge at Palam Vihar was being constructed without environment clearance. “The respondents have cut 60 trees and destroyed a green belt of about 35 feet, which was developed and situated in front of the houses of the applicants. Felling of 60 trees has caused severe dust pollution in the area,” the plea, filed through advocate Sunaina Valecha, said.

THE HINDU