NGT asks municipalities in Delhi for action taken report on waste management

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the municipal corporations operating in Delhi to submit an action report on the steps taken on waste management. Also, the tribunal has taken note of a report which shows how the water is being contaminated in unauthorised settlements near Bhalswa, Ghazipur and Okhla landfills of the city

A bench headed by Justice Adarsh ​​Kumar Goel, NGT Chairperson, asked the North, East and South Municipal Corporations in Delhi to submit the report within a month. “In view of the seriousness of the matter, we also direct that the municipal commissioner can be present personally on July 11,” the bench said.

The tribunal said that in a view of the provisions of the Solid Municipal Waste Rules, 2016, the primary responsibility for the management of legacy wastes and related issues is from the Municipal Corporations concerned. NGT passed the order after taking note of the report.

It has been noted in the report that water pollution is raising serious issues of public health and leachate is also being flowing in the Yamuna, which is affecting the water quality of the river.

The ground water contains heavy metals exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) norms and the total dissolved solids level is in the range of 510 to 3,205 mg/L, and there is high concentration of chlorine nitrate, ammonia and iron, with pH between 7.5 and 8.5, the report added. 

According to the report, 2,000 metric tons, 2,100 metric tons and 1,200 metric tons of waste are being dumped at the Bhalswa, Gazipur and Okhla landfill sites respectively per day which poses serious danger to the environment.