NGT Seeks Delhi Govt Response On Lawyer's Plea Over Deteriorating Road Infrastructure In Burari
The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal has issued notice on an application filed by an advocate residing in Delhi's Burari, seeking urgent directions to address a "chronic, severe, and continuing environmental degradation" of the road infrastructure in the area.
The bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr. Afroz Ahmad directed;
"Issue notice to the respondents. Applicant is directed to serve the respondents and file affidavit of service at least one week before the next date of hearing. List on 25.11.2026".
The application states that said infrastructure serves a population of nearly two lakh people and is "in a state of extreme disrepair". It is stated that several roads are covered merely with loose gravel and exposed red soil, while on other roads there are open pits, incomplete excavations, and un-repaired surfaces.
Per the application, a key arterial route connecting Nathupura with the Outer Ring Road, including the stretch along Nalanda School and Burari Government Hospital, is reportedly repeatedly excavated for sewer and pipeline works. Said excavation began in 2022, but the roads have not been adequately restored afterwards. Large portions of the roads, it claims, remain "broken, unsafe, and unfit for regular use".
The application also states that the area was again excavated following a recommendation from Delhi Jal Board, but the work is "proceeding at a very slow, piecemeal and non-coordinated pace".
The application also claims that there is a deterioration in the ambient air quality due to the condition of the roads. Loose soil, silt, and construction debris, it claims, repeatedly get re-suspended in the atmosphere due to vehicular movement, producing "visible dust plumes and materially increasing local particulate concentrations (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅)".
It further alleges that although the municipal authorities employ dust-control measures such as water sprinkling, these measures are irregular and ineffective. It claims that water sprinkling is particular short lived in summers due to rapid evaporation. Further, the street sweeping measures result in the redistribution rather than the removal of dust.
Relying on the report of the Indian Council of Medical Research, the application states that air pollution is a leading cause of mortality and disease burden, with 1 in every 8 deaths being attributable to air pollution. Further, per a 2019 Study on high-resolution vehicular PM10 Emissions by the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory, non-exhaust sources, particularly road dust re-suspension, account for 86% of on-road PM emissions.
The application further alleges that despite the applicable regulatory framework, there is no mechanised road-sweeping and scientific dust-disposal system in the area. The application states
"Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), in its statutory circular dated 07.01.2025, has expressly recognised road dust as a significant contributor to particulate pollution in Delhi-NCR, with source apportionment studies indicating contributions of up to 58% to PM₁₀ concentrations, and has mandated comprehensive measures including mechanised sweeping, paving of non-paved stretches, water sprinkling, pothole-free maintenance and greening of road verges".
The application also raises concerns over poor drainage and sewage overflow issue nting that in the monsoon it creates additional public health risks for the residents. Thus, the application seeks directions for proper maintenance of roadside drainage and immediate remedial measures to prevent sewage from overflowing onto roads and residential lanes.
The application also prays for testing of potable water supplied in the affected localities and for corrective measures. It also prays for direction to PWD and MCD to prepare and implement a comprehensive, time-bound Road Reinstatement Plan.
The matter is listed on November 25.
Case Title: Nandana Harikrishnan v Government of NCT of Delhi
Original Application No. 371/2026
For Petitioner: Advocates Usha Nandini V, Biju P Raman, and John Thomas Arakal