Civic complicity fuelling Delhi’s illegal industries, says NGT plea

An alleged nexus between illegal polluting industrial units operating in residential areas and officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has come under scrutiny, with allegations that civic officials routinely tip off violators ahead of inspections, allowing them to evade enforcement.

This revelation, made in a rejoinder submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), accuses MCD personnel of enabling these units to temporarily shut operations or disguise violations in order to mislead regulatory authorities.

According to the official copy of the rejoinder submitted to the NGT in April 2025, applicant Varun Gulati stated that prior to inspections conducted by the Joint Committee, local MCD officials inform unit owners in advance about the visit.

Gulati, an environmental activist focused on Yamuna-related issues,  wrote that unit owners routinely shut down operations, lock their premises, and vacate the area in anticipation of inspections—actions that mislead the inspection team. “This practice is routine,” he stated, adding, “During most inspections, units are either found locked or vacant. And afterwards when the inspections are over, the units re-start their operations, and thus they are not traced.”

Gulati further alleged that several polluting units, upon learning about upcoming inspections, relocate to other premises within the same locality—particularly in and around Village Gamri. He said that although he had informed MCD officials about the new locations to facilitate inspection, they arbitrarily refused to take action, citing that they would only inspect units that had been arrayed as respondents in the current proceedings. This, he said, continues even after the Tribunal issued specific orders directing otherwise.

He pointed out that the tribunal had directed the inspection of all illegal and polluting units in the area. Yet, a rigid and narrow approach by officials has facilitated the continued operation of these units and undermined the intent of the Tribunal’s orders.

The rejoinder also mentioned that on April 23, Gulati wrote an e-mail to MCD Commissioner Ashwini Kumar, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) Member Secretary Sandeep Mishra, DPCC Chairman Sanjiv Kumar, CPCB Member Secretary Bharat Kumar Sharma, and officials from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). In the e-mail, he requested action against Birender, Licensing Inspector of MCD’s East Zone, stating that the official had repeatedly refused to inspect a unit despite clear Tribunal directions. However, he said that none of the authorities responded.

Illegal units busted in raids

While inspections involving MCD officials have largely failed to identify violations, raids conducted without MCD involvement have yielded significant results.

Gulati informed the NGT that a joint rescue operation was carried out on March 19, 2025, by a team comprising officials from the Revenue Department (SDM Seelampur), Department of Labour, Delhi Police, BSES, DCPU (District North East), and NGOs including Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Basik Foundation and Bal Vikas. This operation in Village Gamri led to the rescue of 39 child labourers from illegal units. He said the raid proves these units continue to operate illegally and engage in egregious violations of labour and environmental laws, even as authorities look away.

Electricity theft causes Rs 11 crore loss annually

Beyond environmental violations, the illegal units are allegedly involved in large-scale electricity theft, causing massive financial losses to the state.

Gulati claimed that rampant power theft by these units further proves their illegal status. He said, “BSES has already confirmed regular instances of electricity theft in the area by the illegal units.”

BSES Yamuna Private Limited corroborated this claim in a separate submission to the NGT dated February 24, 2025. According to their statement, they are incurring an annual loss of Rs 11 crores due to electricity theft committed by these illegal industrial units.

The rejoinder also accused local MCD officials of deliberately shielding these units. It stated, “The role of local MCD officials in shielding these illegal unit owners raises serious concerns for malafide intentions. Their deliberate inaction and manipulation of inspections is allowing the industrial units to operate with impunity and continue to pose a serious environmental and health hazard to the residents.”

Agencies demand accountability

Officials from Delhi’s power distribution companies and pollution control bodies have expressed frustration with the alleged collusion.

Speaking to Patriot, a senior official from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), who was privy to the matter, said that despite court orders and agency efforts, local MCD officials have made it nearly impossible to shut down these illegal polluting units. “The owners of these units are always aware of the exact date and time of the inspection,” the official said, adding that they often shut shop for the day or temporarily relocate, allowing them to evade enforcement.

A senior official from BSES, requesting anonymity, said, “The local MCD officers of the Shahdara Zone are helping these illegal polluting unit owners escape action, which clearly unearths a nexus between them.”

He added that while BSES and other authorities are facing enormous losses due to theft, “some officials are only concerned about filling their pockets by all means possible.” He also clarified that BSES does not have the legal authority to seal industrial units; that responsibility lies solely with the MCD.

Another source from the discoms added that five illegal units had recently been sealed by the authorities in the area.

Gulati said the river—once considered the lifeline of Delhi—has become a symbol of administrative failure. He argued that this deterioration is a direct result of indifference by civic authorities, who consistently ignore illegal industrial activity.

Gulati explained that many of these units operate in densely populated residential areas and discharge untreated hazardous waste directly into the river. “Despite knowing the environmental damage being caused, no effort has been made to seal these units,” he said. He also highlighted that these zones lack a functioning Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), yet multiple high-pollution industries continue to operate unchecked.

He added that the continued presence of such units reflects more than just administrative failure. “This is happening right under the nose of the concerned authorities,” Gulati said. “It’s hard to believe that such blatant violations could go unnoticed, which leads one to suspect a deeper issue—corruption.”

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He accused certain officials of deliberately ignoring violations in exchange for personal gain, thereby compromising public health and the river’s future.

Emphasising the urgency of the situation, Gulati urged government and regulatory authorities to act immediately and decisively. “There needs to be strict accountability,” he said. “The authorities must launch a thorough investigation into the nexus between illegal industries and the officials who allow them to operate. Only then can we hope to revive the Yamuna.”

He concluded, “The goal of cleaning the Yamuna River, a promise reiterated by several governments over the years, will remain a distant dream unless those enabling the pollution are brought to book. Stern action is the need of the hour—not just against the polluters, but also against those who protect them.”

The tribunal is expected to hear the matter on July 18.