NGT Issues Notice in Plea on Encroachment, Non Maintenance of Green Belts along Delhi-Saharanpur Road

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Principal Bench in New Delhi has issued notices in a petition concerning the alleged encroachment and non-maintenance of designated green belts along a major stretch of National Highway 709B, earlier known as NH-57.

The matter arises from a complaint filed by the Residents Welfare Association, Prem Nagar (Regd.), seeking intervention for the preservation and restoration of green areas adjoining the highway.

The case centers on a 15 kilometer stretch of the Delhi Saharanpur Road between Loni Gol Chakkar and Pavi Sadatpur, where green belt zones had been identified for plantation and grass cover.

The applicant pointed out that tenders had previously been floated for plantation work along different segments of the highway but were subsequently withdrawn without explanation. According to the petition, this has left the green belts vulnerable to large scale encroachment by private individuals.

The tender documents, annexed to the application, reveal that significant funds were earmarked for plantation and landscaping work along the highway. One such tender related to grass planting from Tirupati Marble to Dhannuram Sweets via Balramnagar Gate at an estimated cost of Rs. 32.62 lakh with a completion period of one month. Another tender concerned grass plantation from Dhannuram Sweets to Pushta Chowki, estimated at Rs. 36.10 lakh, while a third related to Shantinagar Gate to Agrawal Factory at an estimated cost of Rs. 29.80 lakh.

Bid security deposits and tender documentation costs were also detailed in the submissions.

The applicant highlighted that despite the allocation of funds and tendering process, the subsequent withdrawal of these tenders resulted in no ground level plantation activity being carried out.

Photographic evidence was submitted along with the application to demonstrate the extent of encroachment on the land earmarked as green belts.

The Residents Welfare Association alleged that encroachers had taken over substantial parts of the area, undermining environmental safeguards and defeating the purpose of the proposed plantation projects.

The record placed before the Tribunal shows that complaints were filed before Nagar Palika Parishad, Loni, and the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA).

A notice dated April 7, 2025 was issued by Nagar Palika Parishad to one of the violators. Separately, the GDA addressed a communication dated April 11, 2025 to the District Magistrate of Ghaziabad, bringing the issue to the notice of district authorities. Despite these steps, counsel for the applicant submitted that no effective enforcement measures have been undertaken at the ground level to prevent further encroachment or to restore the green areas.

On hearing the submissions, the Tribunal observed that the petition raised substantial issues concerning compliance with environmental norms.

The Bench recorded that the matter involved serious environmental concerns given the importance of green belts in maintaining ecological balance, controlling pollution, and ensuring planned urban development alongside national highways.

The Tribunal directed issuance of notice to all respondents, including the Union of India and concerned state and local authorities, for filing their response by way of affidavit.

The order specifically requires the respondents to submit their replies at least one week prior to the next hearing. Similarly, the applicant has been directed to serve the notice to all parties and file an affidavit of service confirming compliance, also at least one week before the next date of hearing.

The matter has been listed for further consideration on December 18, 2025. Until then, the Tribunal's directions place the responsibility on the authorities to respond formally to the allegations of encroachment and non-maintenance.

The outcome of the proceedings is expected to have a direct impact on the preservation of designated green belts along one of the key routes connecting Delhi with Saharanpur.

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

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

Date of Order: September 18, 2025