Conduct of functions must not disturb citizens' right to clean environment: NGT

Insisting that conduct of functions must not disturb other citizens' right to peaceful and clean environment, the National Green Tribunal has directed all states to implement the guidelines for pollution control in marriage and banquet halls.

Principal Bench of the& NGT headed by its Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said "Conduct of functions must not disturb other citizens right to a peaceful and clean environment. Information as to any particular establishment has been given consent and is compliant or not should be placed on the website of the state pollution control board as well as the establishment concerned for information of the concerned public."

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Westend Green Farms Society alleging that banquets and marriage halls in Mahipalpur and Rajokri in Delhi were causing vehicular congestion and environmental pollution.

Apart from the licensing provisions for fire safety, building safety, etc, the regulatory bodies must enforce the environmental norms to ensure that water and air pollution is prevented and the environment is not degraded.

"Effluent Treatment Plants needs to be installed by all the big units, not connected to the sewer lines, apart from ensuring compliance of rainwater harvesting systems, adequate safeguards in operating the kitchen need to be adopted, composting facilities, control of noise levels and providing parking space," the bench said.

Without such safeguards, no consent should be given or renewed even in respect of the establishments already set up, the green panel clarified.

It said the consent conditions must require the owner/manager of establishment informing the organizer/user in writing in advance about the conditions applicable for ensuring compliance.

The green body said that placing such information in the public domain will be one of the conditions while granting consent and failure to do so may render the consent granted to any establishment being withdrawn.

The NGT had earlier directed all the states and union territories to enforce guidelines on the regulation of banquets and marriage halls and ensure adequate parking facility, disposal of solid and liquid waste.