At the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, a bench led by Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora openly expressed its frustration with how multiple government agencies have handled the redevelopment of 27 industrial areas across the capital. The matter, which the court initiated on its own several years ago, once again highlighted the absence of basic civic infrastructure like sewage lines and stormwater drains in several industrial clusters where production continues every day.
Background
The issue traces back to ongoing complaints of pollution, water-logging, and untreated industrial discharge entering the Yamuna. About two years ago, the Delhi Cabinet had approved a redevelopment plan, and consultant agencies were hired to conduct surveys and prepare redevelopment designs. But as the hearings showed, very little has progressed beyond paperwork.
A status report submitted by the Delhi Jal Board suggested that three private architect-consultant firms were given responsibility to survey and prepare redevelopment reports. Yet, as the bench noted, only surveys in some areas have been completed. No actual redevelopment plan is ready, nor are sewage or drainage systems in place.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) was earlier directed to check industrial units in G.T. Karnal Road Industrial Area and submit a detailed compliance report. Even that report did not reach the court due to filing “objections”.
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Court’s Observations
During the hearing, the bench appeared visibly concerned about the real-world environmental consequences of the inaction. While lawyers from multiple agencies - DSIIDC, DJB, MCD, DPCC, DDA, GNCTD - attended, they failed to present clarity on who was responsible for what.
“The basic facilities of sewage lines and stormwater drains are non-existent,” the bench remarked, pointing out that untreated water from factories would naturally end up in the ground or the Yamuna river.
One of the judges stated, “Industries are operating. Wastewater must be going somewhere. If there is no drainage or sewage system, it is clearly contaminating groundwater. This situation is appalling.”
The bench also noted that different agencies were offering conflicting statistics. For example, the number of active industrial units recorded by the DPCC did not match the number of allotted industrial plots recorded by DSIIDC, raising further doubts about monitoring and regulation.
The court said that despite a Cabinet decision in August 2023, the only progress made until now is the hiring of survey consultants. “Even their reports are not with the MCD,” the bench pointed out.
Decision
Given the seriousness of the issue and the continued buck-passing, the court directed the presence of top-level officials at the next hearing. The officials called include:
- Chief Secretary of Delhi
- Additional Chief Secretary, Industries
- Managing Director, DSIIDC
- Commissioner, MCD
- Secretary, DPCC
The court further said these officials must meet before November 10, 2025, and file a joint action plan by November 15, 2025. If the report is not meaningful, the officials must appear physically in court. If the report is satisfactory, they may appear virtually.
The matter is now listed for November 22, 2025.
Case: Delhi High Court Summons Top Officials Over Lack of Sewage and Drainage in 27 Industrial Areas
Court: High Court of Delhi, New Delhi
Bench: Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora
Case Type: Court on its Own Motion (Suo Motu Public Interest)
Next Hearing Date: 22 November 2025.
