P'kula MC can use Sec 23-25 for now; tribunal team to scout sites next month
Providing some relief to the municipal corporation (MC) of Panchkula and the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, on Friday ruled that the dumping ground in Sector 23-25 could be used temporarily.
Providing some relief to the municipal corporation (MC) of Panchkula and the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, on Friday ruled that the dumping ground in Sector 23-25 could be used temporarily. However, a two-member expert panel from the tribunal would visit Panchkula next month and submit a report about the best-suited sites for garbage dumps.
The sites in contention include one in Jhuriwala, which already has environmental clearance for a solid waste management plant, besides the Sector 23-25 ground and the one located in Madanwala (Pinjore) suggested by the Hemant Sarin, one of the petitioners in the case. Sarin had raised the issue of fire in the dumping ground of Sector 23-25 that had made the life of residents difficult for many days. The MC informed the tribunal that an FIR had been registered in that regard.
In an interim order on May 3, the tribunal had restrained both HUDA and MC from using the Sector 23-25 site, as its use was causing environmental pollution. After the order, in the absence of an alternate site for garbage dumping, the MC first stopped lifting the garbage containers, and later it dumped garbage in low-lying areas, even in the industrial area adjoining Zirakpur.
During arguments, the MC told the tribunal expressly that it did not have an alternative site to dump garbage while HUDA submitted that it was looking for one.
Thought the detailed order is yet to come out, it was conveyed to the civic authorities to use disinfectants and scientifically dispose of the garbage for the time being at the Sector 23-25 site. "We hope the MC and HUDA will respect the decision and keep in mind the inconvenience faced by residents," said Sarin.