An online petition protesting the setting up of a landfill site at Gonda Gujran on the Yamuna floodplains has received over 33,000 signatures within the last four days.
The petition, started two years ago when plans to allot the landfill site were first mooted, had received 8,000 signatures at that time. But it was put on hold when assurances were given that landfill wouldn’t be set up in the area, petitioner Vimlendu Jha, an environmental activist said.
It again garnered support when the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) decided to allot 42.5 acres of land at the site to the East Delhi municipal Corporation (EDMC). The petition argues that the setting up of the landfill will poison the groundwater of the area and seep into the drinking water supply. It also said that the floodplain area falls under unstable seismic zone.
Comes with riders
The DDA’s allotment of the site comes with several riders, including fulfilling an environment impact assessment at the site before constructing the facility. However, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has already cleared the site, the EDMC has told the National Green Tribunal. This, the petition argues, was in contravention of several environmental laws.