Large number of roadside ‘dhaba’ situated on the National Highway between Delhi and Ambala which include maximum number of these situated at Murthal in Sonipat district are harming environments in the area are at present on the radar of National Green Tribunal (NGT) allegedly spreading pollution and violating norms to dispose of garbage and wastes. NGT has written to Sanjeev Kaushal Chief Secretary Haryana to take action against such roadside ‘dhaba’ and restaurants spreading pollution and violating directions to dispose of garbage and wastes.
Large number of ‘dhaba’ near Murthal attracted headlines in newspapers during ‘Jaat’ agitation in Haryana state witnessed not only violent activities but also sexually molestation of large number of females by antisocial elements in the area or while travelling on road reported in these roadside ‘dhaba’ and restaurants. Most of roadside ‘dhaba’ on highway including at Murthal remained closed during period the state was facing KOVID-19 and there was hardly any traffic on road and owners of these ‘dhaba’ closed down their shutters in this period.
All roadside ‘dhaba’ especially at Murthal are now attracting crowd of visiting customers, rather increased rates and decline in quality of foods and snacks in order to recover losses suffered during period of epidemic outbreak. Most of owners of these ‘dhaba’ have tied up with the taxi drivers plying on this road carrying passengers regularly offering them food and snacks free of cost, besides gifts.Residents of colonies on both side of highway near ‘dhaba’ recently made an appeal to NGT to take stern action against such roadside ‘dhaba’ throwing garbage and wastes in open thus spreading not only pollution but also harming their health as well as gathering stray animals in the area. Chief Secretary Haryana assured help to the residents as well as NGT to take action against such ‘dhaba’ and restaurants harming environments. The residents demanded, such ‘dhaba’ owners should follow rules as specified by Haryana State Pollution Control Board and required to obtain ‘no objection certificate’ from the department.
