As the MC’s main garbage dumping site pollutes groundwater, a National Green Tribunal (NGT) panel has given directions to the authorities concerned that all the water pumps in the ambit of 2 km from the dumping site be seized and required alternative arrangement be made to ensure safe drinking water supply to the residents.
The water samples collected from dump site areas have failed tests and found not safe for consumption. A large number of people living near the dumping site are dependent on groundwater.
A huge amount of waste has collected at the main dumping site as the MC failed to ensure processing of the waste. After rain, harmful chemicals diffuse slowly into the earth at the dumping site and contaminate the underground water, according to information.
The panel has also given directions to the departments concerned to take action to stop building new colonies in the area as the groundwater is contaminated and harmful for the health of people. Sources said a few illegal colonies have come up near the dumping site.
An online meeting of the NGT committee, headed by Justice Jasbir Singh, was conducted today. Environmentalist-cum-member of the NGT committee Balbir Singh Seechewal, PPCB and MC officials also attended the meeting.
According to information, the MC has failed to achieve the given targets regarding solid waste management. The NGT panel, headed by Justice Jasbir Singh, has given directions to the PPCB to calculate environment compensation to be imposed on the MC.
An official said, “The MC has not achieved the target of source segregation of waste. The MC’s waste processing plant is not functioning. The MC has been asked to deposit Rs 5 lakh bank guarantee for not processing the wet waste. The MC has been asked to take required steps to ensure proper processing of the waste.”
“The civic body has also been directed to ensure management of construction and demolition waste within three months, otherwise pay an environmental compensation. Besides, the civic body has been directed to deposit a bank guarantee of Rs 5 lakh and ensure treatment of legacy waste at its main garbage dump within six months,” the official said.
Chief Engineer, PPCB, Gulshan Rai said the NGT panel had given directions to the authorities concerned to take a decision whether the dairies were to be shifted outside the MC limit and if the dairies were not to be shifted, the process to set up effluent treatment plants should be started. He said the MC had been asked to make alternative arrangement to supply safe drinking water to residents in the ambit of 2 km from the main dumping site.
Disclaimer: This story has not been edited by Water Today staff and is generated from news feeds. Source: The Tribune