Drain Tragedy: Rs 5 Lakh Compensation Paid After Girl's Death

More than a year after a five-year-old girl died in an open drain in outer north Delhi's Palla area, her family has been compensated with Rs 5 lakh. The district administration confirmed the disbursement to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), complying with earlier directives. The NGT had initiated proceedings based on a news report about the child's death. The tribunal observed that the drain, intended for rainwater, was filled with sewage and sludge due to poor maintenance, violating environmental norms. This situation underscored significant civic negligence and environmental compliance failures.

The NGT impleaded several authorities, including pollution control boards and district administration, to address the non-compliance. Previous reports indicated that a temporary plywood board across the drain, used by locals, was where the child reportedly slipped. The tribunal emphasized the severe risk posed by such open, unmaintained drains, particularly to children, and questioned the lack of adherence to environmental standards.