Dhir & Dhir Associates represented the Greater Faridabad Residents Association (GREFA) in a matter related to dysfunctional sewage treatment plants (STPs) and gathered a landmark judgement in the favour of the residents’ association on 20th November, 2018. 13 builders of the Greater Faridabad area had been penalised by the NGT for not following the prescribed sewage disposal norms.

The CPCB, HUDA, TCP had been asked to construct sewer lines and also submit an inspection report within four weeks, which was not done. The builders had been directed to deposit ` 25 lakh as security until they have setup the requisite STPs within a 4-week stipulated time period. The tribunal imposed a penalty of ` 5 lakh each on 12 builders for violation of norms for running below capacity or partially operational STPs. It also directed the management of a residential society in Sector 78 to deposit ` 25 lakh within a week as it did not have an STP.

On 11th February, 2018, the residents had staged a massive protest with nearly 15,000 residents in Greater Faridabad.

“The residents of Greater Faridabad area had been suffering through this situation for quite a long time now. Occupation certificates should only be issued once basic amenities like sewage etc. are in order, which was clearly ignored.” said Ms. Maneesha Dhir, Managing Partner, Dhir & Dhir Associates. She was assisted by KPS Kohli, Associate Partner, Dhir & Dhir Associates for the matter on behalf of GREFA.

The judgment also stated that after 4 weeks of the provided timeframe, a joint inspection will be carried out by a team comprising of. The team will then submit a compliance report to the tribunal for further instructions in the matter.

“It was inevitable for us to ignore this hazard as the builders and HUDA were not taking any relevant action, despite requests and reminders on the captioned matter. The association is highly grateful and thankful to Dhir & Dhir Associates for their tireless efforts” said Pramod Minocha, President, GREFA.

As an update, NHRC has issued direction on 28th February, 2018 to the Government to submit a detailed report within 8 weeks regarding the complaint on untreated sewer disposal matter