NGT directs GMC to shift landfill site to prevent ecological damage

GUWAHATI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to shift the waste dumping site from west Boragaon near Deepor Beel in Kamrup district to Chandrapur, the proposed site, by June 2019.

The NGT said, “Since the dumping site has been already identified by the GMC, now, they can take further steps to shift the current dumping site which is present at forest area to the land proposed, by the end of June 2019. NGT also asked the civic body to submit an affidavit for the steps taken for shifting the dumping site.

The NGT, in its earlier orders on February 26, 2019 said, “If the state government will not be able to find an alternative site for dumping municipal waste, in its next site selection committee meeting, the waste disposal plant at Boragoan would be closed and fine would be imposed.

The statutory bodies including Assam Pollution Control Board, gave permissions for scientific waste disposal at Boragaon. However, the burning of waste is currently being followed at the site which is injurious to health.

The unscientific dumping of waste is regular at Boragaon, even after the NGT directions to the state government to comply with scientific solid waste management rules.