Taking exception to the delay on the part of the DDA chief in finding alternative landfill sites for disposal of municipal solid waste, the Delhi high court on Tuesday set up a panel to come out with a solution.
Justice G.S. Sistani voiced unhappiness over the lack of coordination among DDA, municipal corporations and other public bodies over the issue and pulled up DDA vice-chairman and commissioners of trifurcated MCDs who were present in the court in compliance with its earlier summoning order.
“You all are responsible officers and you all know your responsibilities. There is no progress in this matter. What have you done for past three years despite court orders,” the judge said, adding, “The departments should work together otherwise there will be no finality.”
The committee would comprise senior officers of the land owning agency DDA, trifurcated civic agencies (MCDs), land and building department of the Delhi government and its departments of environment and urban development, Justice Sistani said.
“The committee will look into the issue of identification and feasibility of land, environment clearance and methodology of land acquisition,” he said and fixed May 28 for the first meeting of the panel to be held under the supervision of urban development secretary of the state government. He also directed that the committee will hold meetings every two weeks and sought the minutes of meetings by July 5, the next date of hearing of the case. DDA’s counsel Rajiv Bansal told the court that out of nine, two sites have been identified and survey of the sites are fixed for Wednesday and May 24 and agencies concerned have to obtain environmental clearance for the sites. — PTI
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Mercury tops 45°C, heatwave to continue
Age correspondent
New Delhi, May 21
The mercury breached the 45°C mark for the first time this season on Tuesday.
According to weatherman, the heat condition is likely to continue for at least four days.
The day temperature remained five degree above normal to settle at 45.1°C, the highest this summer and up from Monday’s 44.5°C at the Safdarjung weather station.
The humidity level hovered between 16 and 52 per cent. The reading at Safdarjung station is taken as the official figure for the capital.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 28°C, which was one degree above normal.
The Meteorological department predicted a clear sky for Wednesday with maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 45°C and 30°C, respectively.
Palam weather station recorded the highest temperature of 46.7°C, up from Monday’s 46.2°C, in the capital.
No relief seems to be round the corner as the weatherman predicted similar conditions to continue for at least another four days.