Pollution board warns Noida establishments against flouting waste disposal norms
Under the rules notified by the Centre on April 8, 2016, each waste generator has to segregate and store the waste in three separate categories — biodegradable, non-biodegradable and domestic hazardous. Subsequently, the waste should be handed over to pickers appointed by the local administrative body.
The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has warned industrial and commercial establishments, among others, against flouting solid waste management rules, 2016 while disposing of waste.
Notices have been issued to the Noida authority, hotels, builders, residents’ welfare associations, malls, MNCs, hospitals and schools.
Under the rules notified by the Centre on April 8, 2016, each waste generator has to segregate and store the waste in three separate categories — biodegradable, non-biodegradable and domestic hazardous. Subsequently, the waste should be handed over to pickers appointed by the local administrative body.
“We have issued a notice to 360 bodies, including private schools, colleges and others that generate waste,” said BB Awasthi, regional officer of UPPCB, Noida.
Noida authority, RWAs and several private bodies are failing to implement the environmental rules, properly thereby contributing to pollution.
“Under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, whosoever fails to comply with or contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or rules made or orders or directions issued, is liable to face punishment with imprisonment for a term, which may extend up to five years with a fine that may extend to Rs1 lakh or both. If the violation continues, then fine may extend to Rs5,000 for per day,” said Awasthi.
Environmentalists said the Noida authority, RWAs, hospitals, hotels, builders and other bodies never bother to place separate bins to store waste.
“Noida is touted to be among the state’s most well-planned cities but is yet to even have a sanitary landfill site for waste disposal. It is very frustrating that the authority has not even come up with a plan on collecting and disposing of waste from around 200 villages. You can imagine the pollution level in the future if the situation persists,” said Vikrant Tongad, an environmentalist.
Private sweepers collect household waste, pick out discarded items that can be sold in the market and discard the garbage at dumping yards. Residents alleged that the health department of Noida authority transports the waste from the and dumps the same at any available vacant space.
Raghunandan Singh Yadav, senior project engineer, health department of Noida authority, said, “We are dumping the waste on government land in sectors 85 and 137. A landfill site for Noida and Greater Noida is being set up in Astoli. Soon, we will start transporting the waste to that site for scientific disposal.”