[dropcap]T[/dropcap]HE National Green Tribunal (NGT) has approved the model followed by the Indore Municipal Corporation of bio-mining and bio-remediation for cleaning up “legacy” waste dumped at the Bhalswa, Ghazipur, and Okhla dumpsites in Delhi.
The NGT was hearing a petition filed by the Centre for Wildlife and Environment Litigation along with a sou moto application in the wake of a report published in the Times of India titled “Below Mountains of Trash lies Poison Lakes” that said dumpsites were resulting in severe water contamination.
The NGT panel headed by Chairperson Justice Ashok Kumar Goel also observed that the Indore model was in consonance with the Solid Waste Management Rules as well as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Guidelines on legacy waste. The panel further observed that both ex-situ and in-situ bio-mining options could be exercised according to the Indore Municipal Corporation, which was not only environmentally safe but also cost-effective.
It appears to be necessary that for the protection of the environment and public health, other such legacy waste dumpsites in the country are dealt with on the same pattern, the tribunal said.
The NGT also noted that the estimated cost to clear the three dumpsites at Delhi would be approximately Rs 250 crores. The panel directed that this amount be transferred to three separate ESCROW accounts as follows:
| i. | EDMC |
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| ii. |
North MCD |
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| iii. |
SDMC |
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The NGT panel also directed the Chief Secretary, Delhi to furnish an interim report of the steps taken in three months, CPCP to file its action taken report and the Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to file a compliance report with regard to directions on Swachh Survekshan taking cognizance of and reflecting compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules.
