Gurgaon: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken up a plea challenging the installation of 30 industrial diesel and gas generator sets in nine public parks and greenbelts in DLF Phase 1 in violation of environmental norms. The matter is now scheduled to be heard on Aug 5 along with a similar pending case.The petition was filed by the residents’ welfare association of DLF Phase 1 A Block seeking action against the alleged installations. The petitioner alleged that the installations violate environmental norms and are contributing to air pollution in the residential area. It has relied on photographs and an approved site plan submitted before the tribunal to support its claims.Hearing the matter on Monday, a bench comprising NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad issued notices to the respondents, including Haryana govt, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (DHBVNL), MCG and DLF.During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner informed the tribunal that a similar matter concerning diesel and gas generator sets installed in Malibu Towne is already pending before the NGT. Taking note of the similarity of issues, the bench directed that the present case be listed along with the Malibu Towne case on Aug 5.The petition adds to a series of disputes over the location of backup power infrastructure in Gurgaon, where diesel generator sets continue to be widely used because of power disruptions. Residents have increasingly questioned the installation of such equipment in common areas, particularly parks and greenbelts, alleging that they expose nearby residential neighbourhoods to noise and air pollution.
