North DMC locks horns with LG over sealing of polluting industrial units

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung has locked horns with BJP-ruled municipal corporations over the sealing of polluting industrial units in residential areas.

‘I have directed officers from the corporation not to seal a single premise till the issue is sorted out politically. We are going to meet LG on Tuesday afternoon to convince him to freeze his sealing orders and give more time to affected persons,’ said Yogendra Chandolia, North DMC mayor. He is scheduled to meet Jung at 12.30 pm on Tuesday with a delegation of office bearers from North DMC and representatives of affected persons.

In a recent order, the LG had directed concerned officers to seal around 1800 polluting industrial units run in residential areas. According to government order, owners of the 18,000 polluting industrial units were allotted plots in Narela zone. Three areas picked for the allotment were Bawana, Holumbi and Bhorogarh.

Most owners, who were allotted plots, had shifted. However some are still running small units in these residential areas. ‘The government did not provide infrastructural facilities like roads, power and water supply to over 600 plots in Bhorgarh. How can the owners shift there?’ asked Chandolia.

The people who will face imminent sealing are mainly based in Tri Nagar and Karol Bagh area. 

‘The entire survey needs a re -look as several new shops and commercial units, which are under polluting category have come up in the area but only the older ones are being harassed,’ added Chandolia. 

In pursuance of a 2007 Supreme Court order, the government had started sealing polluting industrial units in residential areas.