NGT Backs GREFA - Whips Greater Faridabad Builders for Dysfunctional STPs
Securities Worth Rs 25 Lacs | 30 Day Deadline Set for Installing STPs
New Delhi, India - Dhir & Dhir Associates represented the Greater Faridabad Residents Association (GREFA) in a matter related to dysfunctional sewage treatment plants (STPs) and gathered a landmark judgement in the favour of the residents association. 13 builders of the Greater Faridabad area have been penalised by the NGT for not following the prescribed sewage disposal norms. They have been directed to deposit Rs 25 lakh as security until they have setup the requisite STPs within a 4 week stipulated time period. The tribunal imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh each on 12 builders for violation of norms for running below capacity or partially operational STPs. It also directed the management of a residential society in Sector 78 to deposit Rs 25 lakh within a week as it did not have an STP.
This is in continuance to an earlier direction, wherein the tribunal had directed the builders to submit bank guarantees of Rs. 50 lakhs each within three days, failing which would lead to their bank accounts being attached and the developers refrained from withdrawing funds till submission of guarantees. The builders under the lens for the captioned matter are Omaxe Heights Faridabad and Summer Palms in Sector 86, SRS Residency and BPTP Villas in Sector 88, ERA Redwood Residency in Sector 78, SRS Royal Hills in Sector 87, Puri VIP Floors in Sector 81, BPTP L Block and BPTP Elite Floors in Sector 84 and Era Divine Court in Sector 76.
"The residents of Greater Faridabad area had been suffering through this situation for quite a long time now. Occupation certificates should only be issued once basic amenities like sewage etc. are in order, which was clearly ignored by the builders of the area. The judgment is indeed a note of encouragement to the resident community and a sign of warning to the builder community at large." said Ms. Maneesha Dhir, Managing Partner, Dhir & Dhir Associates. She was assisted by KPS Kohli, Associate Partner, Dhir & Dhir Associates for the matter on behalf of GREFA.
The judgment also stated that after 4 weeks of the provided timeframe, a joint inspection will be carried out by a team comprising of CPCB, HUDA, TCP. The team will then submit a compliance report to the tribunal for further instructions in the matter.
"It was inevitable for us to ignore this hazard as the builders and HUDA were not taking any relevant action, despite requests and reminders on the captioned matter. The association is highly grateful and thankful to Dhir & Dhir Associates for their tireless efforts" said Pramod Minocha, President, GREFA.
Faridabad resident Varun Sheokand who had alleged that the group housing societies in Greater Faridabad and Sainik Colony had been dumping sewage in the open in the absence of proper sewerage connection filed the petition with the NGT.