Diljit concert aftermath: NGT takes suo moto over 'wrecked' state of stadium

PTC News Desk: The National Green Tribunal has taken suo moto cognizance over the menace that left the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in litters as aftermath of Diljit Dosanjh concert. The Tribunal has ordered immediate action for restoration of the Stadium.

The matter indicates a violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules and the Environment Protection Act,” said the Tribunal. 

NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava heading the bench noted, “The aftermath of the concert left the stadium grounds littered with trash, including broken glass bottles, beer cans, plastic wrappers, and other refuse and the mess was so significant that athletes were seen trying to clean up the stadium, but their efforts were in vain due to the sheer scale of the damage.”

The bench, which also included expert member A Senthil Vel, observed that the stadium's track had been closed for about 10 days following the concert, leading to disruptions in athletes' training as they were forced to use the less-maintained warmup track outside the main stadium.

NGT in attribution to the report also noted that, the people in attendance littered waste on the track in the absence of bins at the venue. the bench also highlighted the considerable time that has been elapsed since the event took place. 

“Therefore, we dispose of the original application directing the member secretary, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), to ensure immediate action for the restoration of the stadium to the original position as it existed before the event and to clear all the debris and garbage that was dumped during the event. Let this exercise be completed within two weeks,” the tribunal further added.

The concert took place on October 26 and 27 which was attended by approximately over 70,000 people.