JUDGMENT

Kuldip Singh, J.-Historic city of Delhi - the Capital of India - is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The authorities, responsible for pollution control and environment protection, have not been able to provide clean and healthy environment to the residents of Delhi. The ambient air is so much polluted that it is difficult to breathe. More and more Delhi-ites are suffering from respiratory-diseases and throat-infections. River Yamuna - the main source of drinking-water supply - is the free dumping-place for untreated sewage and industrial waste. Apart from Air and Water Pollution, the city is virtually an open dust-bin. Garbage strewnall over Delhi is a common sight. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (the MCD) constituted under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 (Delhi Act) and the New Delhi Municipal Council (the NDMC) constituted under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 (New Delhi Act) are wholly re-miss in the discharge of their duties under law. It is no doubt correct that rapid industrial development, urbanisation and regular flow of persons from rural to urban areas have made major contribution towards environmental degradation but at the sa