Pranav B Prem

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has issued notice in a petition highlighting the alleged encroachment and non-maintenance of designated green belts along National Highway 709B (earlier NH-57), covering a 15-kilometre stretch between Loni Gol Chakkar and Pavi Sadatpur.

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The plea was filed by the Residents Welfare Association, Prem Nagar (Regd.), represented by advocates Anil Hooda, Shafik Ahmed, and Anju, seeking intervention for the preservation and restoration of the green belts adjoining the Delhi–Saharanpur Road.

According to the applicant, tenders had earlier been floated for plantation and landscaping along multiple segments of the highway, but were subsequently withdrawn without explanation. The tenders annexed to the application show significant budgetary allocations, such as ₹32.62 lakh for grass planting from Tirupati Marble to Dhannuram Sweets via Balramnagar Gate, ₹36.10 lakh from Dhannuram Sweets to Pushta Chowki, and ₹29.80 lakh from Shantinagar Gate to Agrawal Factory, each with a completion period of one month. Despite this allocation, the applicant alleged that no plantation activity took place, leaving the green belts vulnerable to large-scale encroachment.

The petition annexed photographic evidence of encroachments and pointed out that while Nagar Palika Parishad, Loni, issued a notice on 7 April 2025 to a violator, and the Ghaziabad Development Authority sent a communication to the District Magistrate on 11 April 2025, no effective enforcement action was taken.

On hearing the submissions, the Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member) observed that the original application raises substantial issues concerning compliance with environmental norms. The Tribunal directed issuance of notices to the Union of India, the concerned state authorities, and local bodies, requiring them to file their replies by way of affidavit at least one week before the next date of hearing.

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The applicant has also been directed to serve the respondents and file an affidavit of service at least a week prior to the next hearing. The matter has been listed for further consideration on December 18, 2025.

Appearance

Applicant: Mr. Anil Hooda, Mr. Shafik Ahmed & Ms. Anju, Advs. for Applicant

Cause Title: Residents Welfare Association, Prem Nagar (Regd.) v. Union of India & Ors.

Case No: Original Application No. 475/2025 (I.A. No. 616/2025)

Coram: Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson), Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member)