The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a steep fine of Rs 60.23 crore on a developer for flouting various environment norms in its residential project in Ghaziabad. A three-member bench, headed by NGT chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel, recently imposed the penalty on Savfab Buildtech Pvt Ltd, the developer of Saviour Park Society in Mohan Nagar, for violating sewage treatment plant (STP) rules, unauthorised construction and illegal extraction of groundwater. The Savfab Buildtech Pvt Ltd built 850 flats in 13 towers with the title Saviour Park Society in Mohan Nagar of Ghaziabad. The builder completed the project and handed over the flats to buyers by 2015.
In fact, following the Saviour Park Apartment Owners’ Association’s plea, a committee comprising members of the Union environment, forest and climate change ministry, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the UPPCB and the environment impact assessment authority was formed to verify the allegations. In March this year, the panel submitted its report, listing the violations — from environmental to building bylaws.
The panel also recommended fines and environmental compensation on each violation — Rs 7.43 crore for illegal extraction of groundwater, Rs 12.80 crore for violation of STP norms, and Rs 40 crore penalty for other violations, including construction without permission. “The report of the joint committee is accepted. Compensation assessed for violating STP norms and illegal ground water extraction is approved. … the entire amount of compensation be deposited with the state PCB within two months,” the bench said.
