NGT grants 6 more months to GMDA for long-delayed waterbody restoration

Gurgaon: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has granted an additional six months to GMDA to complete the pending restoration work of a waterbody in Sector 41. The next hearing is scheduled for Oct 6 to review further progress.
During the recent proceedings, the tribunal condoned the delay and acknowledged the authority's progress, as outlined in a report submitted on March 26.

The report was accompanied by detailed documentation and photographs to demonstrate compliance.
"We appreciate the efforts made by CEO GMDA and other officers for compliance with the orders passed by this tribunal," the NGT order by Judicial Magistrate Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad said on March 27.
"In the report, six months' further time has been sought for execution of the work with a prayer for condonation of delay in completion thereof. The delay in completion of the work is condoned and further six months' time is granted for execution of the remaining work," the order said.
The waterbody has been at the heart of a legal battle since April 2022, when Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) revised the area's layout plan to include a commercial complex, sparking public outcry. The deadline to complete this work was set at one year, but agencies failed to complete it. In May 2024, the tribunal granted a six-month extension to GMDA and other agencies. However, this deadline also passed without progress until Dec 2. Again, a ten-day extension was given, but this also lapsed on Dec 12. In Dec last year, NGT granted authorities three months to complete the project but stated it was the last extension.
Until 1999, the pond was used as a water source by villagers and nearby residents. It degraded in the decade after as its area was encroached on by developers.
Eventually, the pond was reduced to a dumping ground for construction debris and other waste.
In May 2022, a local resident petitioned NGT, seeking the preservation and redevelopment of the waterbody. Responding to the plea, NGT issued a mandate in March 2023, ordering the restoration of the pond with pathways, green belts, oxygen-enhancing devices, solar panels and the introduction of aquatic life.
On Dec 19, angered that its order on redeveloping the pond was not being followed despite two deadline extensions, the NGT warned the chiefs of GMDA, MCG, HSVP and DTCP secretary to complete the project by March or face civil action.