NGT directs Govt to submit action plan on landfill sites in 2 weeks

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi Government and the civic bodies to submit an action plan for identifying alternative landfill sites and setting up waste-to-energy plants in the city within two weeks.

A Bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim slammed the authorities for not submitting their plan and said despite specific timeline, there is lapse in compliance of the direction on creating management facilities for construction and debris waste, plastic and e-waste.

"We had directed the Chief Secretary to coordinate and ensure that corporations must meet and resolve dispute by a decision which should crystallise into an action plan on the above issues. They were directed to file result on action plan.

"Till now the action plan has not been filed. Hence, we direct it should be filed within two weeks from now and we give them a last chance to comply with the order. In case of any lapse on part of any authority, we shall hold the commissioner of each municipal corporation responsible and we further direct the Chief Secretary to comply with the directions," the bench said.

The tribunal took exception to the submission of South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) that the order for filing action plan was not available on the website due to which they could not do the needful.

However, the Bench said, "The order speaks for itself it was not confined only to SDMC, but the direction involved all the municipal corporations. Therefore such a plea is not unacceptable".

The green panel directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to comply with the order and also ensure steps are taken for compliance of this order.

The matter is posted for next hearing on March 15.

The tribunal had earlier convened a meeting of stakeholders for identifying alternative landfill sites and setting up waste-to-energy plants in the national capital.

The NGT had said that it was unfortunate that at a time when the national Capital was grappling with the huge quantum of waste to the tune of 14,000 metric tonnes on a daily basis, the authorities were involved in a "blame game" and showing an irresponsible attitude.

With the rapid development and massive urbanisation of the megacity, the waste generation was increasing on a daily basis which has resulted in the saturation of the existing landfill sites which can handle only up to 7,000 metric tonnes of waste, the tribunal had said.

"The improper handling of municipal waste dumped at the sites has even resulted in the deaths of two people," the NGT had said.

It had asked the public authorities to make concerted efforts to deal with the problem of waste and establish new landfill sites in a speedy manner.

The Green Panel had constituted a committee to look into the working of waste-to-energy plants here.

It had also asked the CPCB and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to approach the Delhi Government to provide more landfill sites and maintain them strictly in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016.