The AAP government has been bashed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for not taking any action against the illegal construction in south Delhi’s Jaunapur and Dera Mandi forest areas. According to the tribunal, the government did not take any measures even after the December 2015 order which directed the removal of the unauthorised construction in the Ridge areas.
If the status report submitted by the Mehrauli SDM is to be followed, the encroachment removal drive was to start on August 10, 2017, however, it stated that around 3,000 people have encroached the forest land which is creating difficulty. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel said the tribunal could not be stalled by a counsel who is not available when the case is taken up.