NGT bans dumping waste in Sec 138A, tells Noida authority to develop waste-to-energy plant in 6 months

Noida has a designated 110-acre landfill site in Astoli but it isn’t ready for dumping waste. The authority has been dumping waste in pits available in vacant lands instead of disposing it scientifically.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday ordered the Noida authority to immediately stop dumping of solid waste at the vacant land in Sector 138A. The tribual also directed the Noida authority to dump solid waste only at the designated landfill site located in Sector 123 and develop a waste-to-energy plant within six months.

The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday ordered the Noida authority to immediately stop dumping of solid waste at the vacant land in Sector 138A. (HT File Photo)

In its order, the tribunal also said that the housing complexes in Noida should also segregate their waste and treat it as per the rules.

A principal bench of the National Green Tribunal, headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, delivered the order on a petition filed by Gaurav Choudhury, a resident of Sector 137. The petition against illegal dumping of waste was filed on August 28.

Sector 137 houses half a dozen apartment complexes. The site in question is located next to these apartment complexes.

Advocate for the petitioner Sabah Iqbal Siddiqui said, “The tribunal has directed the Noida authority to clean Sector 138A land and develop a waste-to-energy plant at designated landfill in Sector 123 within six months. We welcome the order as it is a big victory for residents, who were facing health issues due to this illegal waste dumping.”

Residents, however, hope that the latest order by the tribunal can improve sanitation facilities in Noida, which has a designated 110-acre landfill site in Astoli but it isn’t ready for dumping waste. In the absence of a proper facility, the authority has been dumping the waste in pits available in vacant lands instead of disposing it scientifically.

Residents opposed dumping at the Sector 138A site because it is surrounded by newly developed apartment complexes. Residents argued in their petition that the illegal dump yard in the vicinity of a residential area has created health issues for families, particularly schoolchildren.

Noida authority officials said the order would be implemented in totality once they receive it.

“We will start dumping solid waste at the Sector 123 landfill site. Apart from this, we will set up a waste-to-energy plant at the Sector 123 landfill in accordance with waste management rules-2016 to treat the refuse,” said a Noida authority official.

The authority has also been directed to enforce the NGT order on housing societies.

“As per the tribunal’s order, housing societies will have to treat solid municipal waste on their own. Once we receive the order we will enforce the order on housing societies so we can improve sanitation facilities,” said RK Mishra additional CEO of the Noida authority.