NHRC notices to the Delhi government, MCD and DJB over reported inaction on the complaints of overflowing choked sewer lines and contaminated water in the Vishnu Garden area: ATR also called from the DPCC

New Delhi: 15th February,2023

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that the residents of the NW Block of the Vishnu Garden area in Delhi are facing extreme difficulty due to the industrial waste being inappropriately disposed of by a Jeans Dying Unit in the drains of the colony which blocks the drains as well as the sewage lines in the residential area. The sewage water keeps overflowing on the colony roads. The drinking water has also been contaminated. Several complaints have been made by the residents to the civic authorities but no action has been taken.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights affecting people's health. Accordingly, it has issued the notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi and the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi(MCD), and the Chief Executive Officer, Delhi Jal Board(DJB) calling for detailed reports in the matter within 4 weeks.

The Commission has called for a report from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) regarding action taken by them against the industrial unit responsible for causing the pollution in the area.

Issuing the notices, the Commission has further observed that the interest of the general public in Article 19(5) of the Constitution is a comprehensive expression comprising several issues which affect public welfare, public convenience, public order, health, safety, etc. all intended to achieve the socio-economic justice of the people. The expression life, enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution has a much wider meaning, which includes the right to livelihood, better standard of living and hygienic conditions while living at home or in the working place. Therefore, it is the bounded duty of the State to protect the above rights of the citizens in the discharge of its constitutional obligation in the larger public interest.

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