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NGT directs 10 Faridabad builders to furnish bank guarantees over faulty STPs

On November 16, 2017, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), led by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, took strict action against 10 real estate developers in Faridabad, Haryana, for operating non-functional sewage treatment plants (STPs). The tribunal barred these builders from withdrawing funds from their bank accounts and instructed them to submit bank guarantees of ₹50 lakh each within three days. The tribunal also ordered the builders to upgrade their sewage treatment facilities and seek inspection approval from the Haryana Pollution Control Board before resuming normal operations. It made it clear that untreated sewage dumping in open areas would not be tolerated and warned of strict legal action against any violations. The NGT further stated that the builders bank accounts would only be unfrozen after receiving its formal approval. The developers named in the order include projects such as Omaxe Heights and Summer Palms in Sector 86; SRS Residency and BPTP Villas in Sector 88; ERA Redwood Residency in Sector 78; SRS Royal Hills in Sector 87; Puri VIP Floors in Sector 81; BPTP L Block and BPTP Elite Floors in Sector 84; and Era Divine Court in Sector 76 of Faridabad. In addition to these directions, the tribunal imposed an environmental compensation of ₹55 lakh on ERA Redwood Residency for operating its STP without obtaining mandatory consent. Separate penalties of ₹5 lakh each were also levied on Omaxe (Sector 86 project), SRS, and BPTP for deficiencies in their sewage treatment systems. During the proceedings, counsel representing Omaxe submitted that several builders were already facing severe financial stress and requested the tribunal to reconsider the penalties. However, the NGT maintained a strict stance to ensure environmental compliance. The order followed a petition filed by Faridabad resident Varun Sheokand through advocate Shariq Abbas Zaidi. The plea alleged that multiple group housing societies in Greater Faridabad and Sainik Colony were discharging untreated sewage into open areas due to the absence of proper sewer connections.