In BE: News Item Published in Hindustan Times Titles "And Quiet Flows The Maily Yamuna" (SC)
BS496230
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Before:- K.G. Balakrishnan, CJI., R.V. Raveendran and J.M. Panchal, JJ.
W.P.(C) No. 725 of 1994 with I.A. No. 32 in W.P.(C) No. 725 of 1994. D/d.
30.1.2008.
In BE: News Item Published in Hindustan Times Titles "And Quiet Flows The Maily Yamuna" - Petitioner
For the Parties : - Ranjit Kumar, Sr. Adv.(A.C.), Kamal Gupta, Advocate.
For the Petitioner(s) :- M.C.Mehta, Petitioner-in-person(NP)
For the Respondent(s) :- G.E. Vahanvati, SG (N.P.)
For the Delhi Jal Board :- Gopal Subramanium, ASG, R.S. Suri, Sandhya Goswami, Sunita Sharma, D.S. Mehra, Anil Katiyar, Indra Sawhney, and Shreekant N. Terdal, Advocates.
For the NCT of Delhi :- Vikas Singh, ASG, S.W.A. Qadri, Najmi Wajwi, Jubair Ahmad Khan, Sunita Sharma, D.S. Mahra, Ravindra Bana, and Hemantika Wahi, Advocates.
For the CPCB :- Vijay Panjwani, M/s. Lawyers Associated, Naresh Bakshi, M.L. Lahoty, Girish Chandra, Vijay Pratap Singh, Anik K. Jha For Kamlendra Mishra, Adv., S.W.A. Qadri, Manoj Dwivedi, G.V. Rao, Pradeep Misra, Sudhir Kulshreshta, Sushma Singh, M.K. Diwakaran Namboodiri, Ajay K. Agrawal, Alka Agrawal, Anamika Agrawal, and Prashant Chaudhary, Advocates.
For the DPCC/DSIDC :- D.N. Goburdhan, Geeta Luthra, Pinky Anand, Adv. (NP), Ashok K. Srivastava and Sauabh Trivedi, Advocates.
For the NDMC :- Pavan Bindra For Kavita Wadia, Advocate.
For the NCRPB :- Sheel Sethi, Satish Vig, Vishnu B. Saharya For M/s. Saharya & Co., Geetanjali Mohan, Binu Tamta, V.K. Verma, Annam D.N. Rao, B.V.Balram Das, Sanjiv Sen, Praveen Swarup, Vikas Mehta, and B.V. Balramdas, Advocates.
For the UP Jal Nigam :- Ajay K. Agrawal, Alka Agrawal, and Anamika Agrawal, Advocates.
Pollution - National Capital - River Yamuna - Government seeking regularisation of 1432 unauthorised colonies in Delhi - Amicus Curiae and the D.D.A. shall file its reply within eight weeks.
[Para ]
ORDER
1. On 30th November, 2007, this Court has directed that the Delhi Jal Board shall secure and file the report regarding the feasibility and implementation of the construction of interceptor sewer project. We are informed that the Jal Board has appointed M/s. Engineers India Ltd. as Consultant with overall responsibility of concept to commissioning of the entire interceptor sewerage system project. In the action plan, the consultant has stated that data analysis will be done for correct assessment of flow after rehabilitation of trunk/peripheral sewers. But from the affidavit dated 29.1.2008 of the Jal Board it is seen that the rehabilitation of the trunk sewer is likely to be completed only by the end of 2009. Therefore, if the analysis cannot be done before the end of 2009, planning of project and commencement of execution is not possible before the later part of 2010. But the Jal Board has also given a schedule of the activities for the interceptor project in the affidavit which shows that collection of data by the consultant would be completed by 30th May, 2008 and planning will be completed by November, 2008 and the work could be commenced in February, 2009 and would be completed by 2012. There is thus considerable inconsistency. It is not explained as to how this work could be commenced before the completion of rehabilitation of the trunk sewer project. The learned Additional Solicitor General appearing for the Jal Board submitted that the Jal Board, in consultation with M/s. Engineers India Ltd., will file a revised affidavit. He also submitted that the Delhi Jal Board will file its further response to this Court by 15th June, 2008, after receiving the report from the consultant.
2. Let the matter be posted on 8th July, 2008.
I.A.No.32/2006
3. The Delhi Government has filed this I.A. seeking approval for the regularisation of 1432 unauthorised colonies in Delhi. Learned Amicus Curiae and the D.D.A. shall file its reply within eight weeks.
.