NGT wants Delhi’s Ghazipur landfill site to be at least 10 feet lower

A part of the garbage dump at Ghazipur landfill site in east Delhi collapsed on September 1, killing two people and injuring several others

On September 1, the towering mass of garbage in Ghazipur, located in east Delhi, collapsed killing two people and injuring several others. The landfill that should have closed 15 years ago, rose to a height of almost 50 metres, though the permissible limit is only 20 metres .

The height of the Ghazipur landfill is about 50 metres though the permissible limit for the height of a landfill is only 20 metres. ((Raj K Raj/HT Photo))

On Thursday, the National Green Tribunal, India’s apex green court, directed civic authorities and the National Highways Authority of India to ensure that the height of the landfill is reduced by at least 10 feet (about 3 metres). Swatanter Kumar, chairperson of the principal bench of the NGT, warned the various authorities including the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) that it would summon their top officials if immediate action was not taken.

Delhi’s Lt Governor Anil Baijal banned the dumping of more waste at the Ghazipur landfill the day after the accident. Waste headed there was redirected to a temporary site in Ranikhera, which met with staunch opposition from residents in the area.

About 2,500 to 3000 metric tonnes of garbage are dumped at the Ghazipur landfill site daily.

However, the counsel representing the NHAI insisted in court that they would be able to lift waste from the site only if the EDMC segregates it first.

Justice Kumar directed the NHAI to begin work on lifting the waste the same day, and segregate and analyse the waste at their construction site.