The National Green Tribunal has fined the Delhi government 50 crore rupees for its “failure” to take action against steel pickling units in residential areas as they fall under the prohibited list of industrial activity.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel blamed the Delhi government for not closing the industrial units despite its specific directions. The NGT yesterday said that the amount be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board within one month.

The bench said, untreated effluent discharge directly or indirectly in the river has caused serious damage to the environment.