Noida Authority to ensure that societies comply with NGT's order

The Noida Authority has decided to hire environmental experts to ensure the group housing societies comply with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regulations in Noida before issuing the occupation certificates (OCs) to them. An official said that the experts would also test water samples collected from group housing societies to ensure that polluted water is not being discharged. CEO of Noida Authority, Ritu Maheshwari, directed the general manager to select a private environmental agency by 15 March. The penalties recovered from the group housing societies would pay the agency. CEO also directed the officials to lodge an FIR against four developers over non-functional sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the housing societies in four residential sectors. The four developers are Assotech Windsor Court, Skytech Construction Private Limited, Gardenia India Limited and Futec Shelters Private Limited. The OC given to Skytech Construction Private Limited has also been cancelled, while the OCs have not been granted to the remaining three societies. Resampling of water from 55 sewage treatment plants (STPs), of which 72 functional ones in 95 group housing societies in the city is concerned. Officials said water samples from 40 of them are collected, and the exercise will be completed by the end of February. The sample test of the water report is required to be submitted to the water department. As per the NGT order, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board had surveyed 95 group housing societies and found 72 functional STPs. However, 55 water samples were not as per standards. Image Source