NGT slams civic body for defying orders of using perforated tiles

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slammed the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) for defying its orders pertaining to solid impermeable interlocking tiles fixed above the road level in various localities. One week’s time has been given by the NGT to replace the tiles and comply with the orders. A petition was filed by Er Jaskirat Singh and Yogesh Maini in this regard.

Jaskirat said despite the NGT orders of 2021, the MC as well as the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) had continued to fix solid interlocking concrete tiles within one meter of prohibited areas.

“Such tiles are being fixed above the road level, resulting in waterlogging on roads during rainy days, which further results in damage of the stretches. Further, since the tiles are impermeable, i.e. water cannot percolate through them, these are directly impacting the groundwater table, causing major environmental damage too,” Jaskirat said.

Yogesh said the LIT was also acting in a similar manner at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar here.

“We have submitted one rejoinder depicting the deliberate act of both departments and after hearing our plea, the Bench asked the counsel of the civic body that why proceedings under Section 26 of the NGT Act should not be initiated against the MC Commissioner for defying the NGT orders, to which the counsel prayed for seven days’ time to comply with the orders and replace the impermeable tiles with perforated ones,” he said.

The petitioners said after directions of the NGT, it was mandatory for the authorities to fix tiles with 50 per cent holes so as to allow penetration of rainwater but the departments had continued their wrong practices, which not only resulted in damage to the environment but would also cause a huge loss to the public money. It was a matter of investigation and strict action should be taken against those responsible.

Er Kapil Dev and Kuldeep Singh Khaira of the Public Action Committee said: “On the directions of the NGT, we will keep an eye on the ongoing interlocking tile projects and if such solid impermeable tiles continued to be fixed in Ludhiana, we will file another rejoinder for strict action against violators.”