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Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding unscientific dumping of waste on the land allotted for Solid Waste Management project at village Jhuriwala, Panchkula, Haryana, 03/05/2023

  • 03/05/2023

Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Sanjay Kumar Vs Union of India & Others dated 03/05/2023. The matter related to unscientific dumping of waste on the land allotted for Solid Waste Management project at village Jhuriwala, Panchkula, Haryana. According to the applicant, Sanjay Kumar, the site in question is 140 meters away from Khol-Hai-Raitan wildlife sanctuary.

The NGT, vide order dated January 21, 2022 sought a report about compliance status.

The committee in its report, November 15, 2022 acknowledged violations and suggested preventive and remedial measures to restore damage to the environment. The report was accepted and directions were issued for further action in terms of the report. The NGT also determined compensation of Rs 10 crores payable by the Municipal Corporation, Panchkula and Kalka to the extent of Rs. 9 crores and Rs. 1 crores respectively for restoration measures.

A report, May 2, 2023 has been filed by the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Panchkula to the effect that amount of compensation has been deposited and execution measures initiated. The report informed the NGT that 3.5 lakh MT legacy site was still present and by December 2023 all the waste will be remediated.

The bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Sudhir Agarwal of the NGT noted that there was practically no progess in remediation of legacy waste at Jhuriwala or sector 23. The court expressed surprise that the Municipal Corporations, Panchkula and Kalka Pinjore are transporting waste to Ambala which cannot be sustainable on long term basis and may lead to mismanagement.

"Situation needs to be handled in mission mode in view of continuing failures so far," the court said and directed the Chief Secretary, Haryana to review the progress personally to "bring about effective road map in the interest of environment and public health".

An action taken report should be filed showing tangible progress in execution of remediation of legacy waste and functioning of waste to energy plant, the order said.