Delhi High Court has once again put the officials in the dock regarding air pollution in the national capital. Pulling up the Delhi government officials for their careless approach in allowing felling of trees, the court said we are fighting a losing battle against pollution and we have to find a solution.

The court said that no one wants to stop the projects, but development should be in harmony with nature and heritage. It is not possible that you cut 50 nearby trees. Hearing a contempt petition filed for disobeying the order regarding removal of roadside trees with concrete, the court said that the officials are responsible not only for deteriorating the air quality in the national capital but also for the condition of the citizens of Delhi due to this.

The court said that you want people to live in this gas chamber. Trees are being cut in blatant violation of court orders. Advocate Aditya N Prasad, appearing for the petitioner, alleged that five trees are being cut every hour in the national capital and the authorities are allowing it in complete violation of judicial orders as well as their own rules.

He said the Deputy Conservator of Forests had assured the court that all orders granting permission to cut trees would include reasons for action and would be uploaded online along with photographs of the trees. Expressing displeasure on this, the bench said that this casual approach is disturbing. You have to understand your important responsibility.

This is not a trash can that you are removing. The court told the government counsel that this is not only shocking but also dereliction of duty. This is a complete disregard of court orders. Delhi government's counsel said a request has been made to the Judicial Academy here to train officers to write verbal orders on requests for felling of trees.

It also said that an application has been filed by the Forest Department, seeking clarification on the earlier order of the High Court prohibiting felling of trees, which is hampering government projects. The court said that the government will not allow cutting of trees in residential colonies. With the above remarks and instructions, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till November 8.