NGT Summons Noida CEO Over ‘Misleading’ Report on Concreting

NGT Summons Noida CEO Over ‘Misleading’ Report on Concreting
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a strong order summoning Lokesh M., the chief executive officer of Noida, along with deputy general manager Shripal Bhatti, to appear before the bench. This action follows allegations that Noida officials misrepresented facts regarding the removal of illegal roadside concreting during a recent hearing.
Expressing deep disapproval, the tribunal highlighted that Noida authorities not only presented false claims but also obtained a judicial order based on misleading information.
The case centres on unauthorized roadside concreting in Noida and Greater Noida, an issue raised by an environmentalist who argued that this practice breaches environmental regulations and contradicts a March 23, 2018, directive banning such activities.
The NGT’s examination found merit in the environmentalist’s objections. The tribunal emphasized that despite claims by Noida officials, the illegal concreting had not been adequately addressed. It noted that the Noida authority admitted to certain errors but failed to provide a complete apology.
The NGT panel, led by judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member Dr. Afroz Ahmad, stated, "We are not inclined to accept such regret as sufficient, especially when it appears Noida authorities were able to secure a favourable judicial order by misleading the bench." The tribunal stressed that the evidence indicated widespread concreting issues that had not been resolved.
The tribunal also granted the Greater Noida authority an extension of 10 days to respond to the environmentalist’s concerns. The next hearing is scheduled for November 8, 2024.
This case is part of an ongoing examination of roadside concreting activities that have raised environmental concerns since May 2022. In a previous hearing in April 2024, the Central Pollution Control Board labelled this activity a “threat” to the environment.