So Many Workers But No Drinking Water Or Sewage Facility? Delhi High Court Questions State Of Mundka Industrial Area

The Delhi High Court on Friday (December 5) expressed its concern after it was informed that there is no drinking water facility, no storm water drain or sewage lines and no Common Effluent Treatment Plants in the Mundka Industrial Area in the city. 

A division bench of Justice Prathiba Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora were hearing petitions including a suo-motu petition pertaining to the issue of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and cleaning of the river Yamuna in Delhi.

"How is it possible that you don't have basic storm water drains, sewage and water?" the judges orally remarked on being apprised of the conditions in Mundka.

The court further in its order noted, "...has submitted that in the Mundka Industrial Area, there is no drinking water, no storm water drain or sewage line and no Common Effluent Treatment Plants. In fact drinking water is received through tankers and pumps are privately engaged for purpose of removal of sewage".

It thereafter orally said,"This is the problem...And they dump it (sewage) in the outskirts and burn it and it causes the pollution. This is what is happening here".

The court further asked the counsel for Delhi Jal Board orally, "What does it take to give them drinking water?". The counsel said that in some areas drinking water is available and they can find out about supply of water in these industrial areas.

"Imagine so many industries are working, so many workers are working there, basic sewage water is not available for them," the court orally added.

The court was also told that Total Dissolved Solids level is so high that the ground water cannot be used.

In November the court took note of Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation's (DSIIDC) status report and was informed that out of 27 non-conforming industrial areas, 24 industrial areas have associations which are members of the Delhi Manufacturers Federation. DSIIDC is the agency for the redevelopment of 27 clusters.

The court had noted that three associations were not members and had issued notices to them. The court was told that private agencies have been engaged to survey these industrial areas and for the redevelopment work of these industrial areas. 

On Friday the court was informed that of the three associations, for Shahdara Industrial Area Association the survey, being carried out private agencies for redevelopment work, is completed and for Mundka Swaran Park Industrial Area Association the survey work has commenced. 

With respect to Mundka Phirni Industrial Area the court was told that there is a dispute between two associations. The court directed Mundka Industrial Welfare Society (MIWS) to sign the memorandum of understanding with and the DSIIDC immediately so that survey work can be commenced. It further issued notice to the President of President of Mundka Welfare Udyog Nagar Association. 

"It is directed that survey in the Mundka Industrial Area shall commence without any delay," the court added. 

With respect to Anand Parbat area, the court was told that Joint survey has to be conducted and boundaries are to be demarcated. It thus directed the Delhi government counsel to ensure that concerned SDM and department of Industries shall sent their nominees to conduct the survey. 

In so far as funds for processing survey plans by MCD, the court was told that a meeting was held as per which, DSIDC is to pay entire amount from its own funds to MCD for processing of the plans. 

The court directed the private agencies conducting the survey, to get the survey plans get them signed by the associations in MCD's office and submit it for processing. The court said, "release of funds shall not be stopped for purpose of signing" directing that the plans are to be submitted by December 20 to MCD and by this date DSIIDC shall release payment to MCD. 

The suo-motu PIL was initiated after the court took note of an article published in the Times of India on June 18, 2022 regarding water logging issues in the city.

The matter is now listed on December 19. 

Case Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION v. GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS

W.P.(C) 7594/2018 and W.P.(C) 9617/2022