HC to issue directions on shifting of Bhalswa dairy

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Friday said it would pass orders directing the Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to shift Bhalswa dairy from near the landfill to Ghogha, saying that cows cannot be allowed to remain in a pathetic situation.

Standing counsel for the Union housing ministry Kirtiman Singh submitted that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) was asked to allot approximately 185 acres of land to relocate Bhalswa and Ghazipur dairies and the civic body sought eight weeks to comply.

Singh said that although the Centre had written to the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments for allotment of land to shift the dairies, it was yet to hear from them.

The bench, comprising acting chief justice Manmohan and justice Manmeet PS Arora, said: “Judgment has not been implemented for so long. This needs to be done forthwith. First let’s move Bhalswa. We’ll see what has to be done with Ghazipur. The proportion of the problem is gigantic. It is years of neglect. You have to bring in experts now. Only they (experts) can resolve it.”

“We’ll pass directions with regard to shifting Bhalswa to Ghogha. In Ghogha, try setting up a modern dairy. These cows cannot be allowed to remain (there). It’s a pathetic situation,” the bench told the lawyer representing the Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The court also directed MCD to remove unauthorised construction and encroachments from Ghogha and Madanpur Khader within three weeks.

The bench made the observations on a plea filed by three people, Sunayana Sibal, Asher Jessudoss and Akshita Kukreja, who alleged that these dairy colonies were wrought with violations of central and state-level statutes, including animal cruelty.