Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding waste management in Kolkata, West Bengal, 04/06/2020
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Tribunal on its own motion (Regarding Dumping of Garbages at Rajiv Nagar, North 24 Parganas) Vs State of West Bengal & Others dated 04/06/2020.
The matter relates to dumping of garbage and municipal solid wastes at Mouza Rajiv Nagar, Ward No. 35 under Kamarhati Municipality and the surrounding areas falling under the Municipalities of Baranagar, South Dum Dum and North Dum Dum. The garbage and municipal solid wastes dumped at the place has the potential to cause water pollution, further, there are also being burnt causing severe air pollution making it hazardous for the health of the local residents. The stench and obnoxious odour emitted from the dumping ground located on the northern side of Belghoria Express Way, added to the woes of not only of the people of the surrounding areas but also of the passers-by.
The principal question that fall for consideration of the Tribunal in this case is the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in dealing with the mountain of garbage at the site in question.
The response of the concerned municipalities like Dum Dum, North Dum Dum, South Dum Dum, Baranagar and New Barracqure in the handling of solid waste was found to be far from satisfactory, noted the tribunal. The Department of Municipal Affairs and Kolkata Municipal Development Authority (KMDA) also were found to be casual in dealing with the matter. The records would reveal the lack of coordination amongst the municipalities, the KMDA and the Department of Municipal Affairs, government of West Bengal.
Actions taken by the Municipalities, the KMDA and the Department of Municipal Affirms, Government of West Bengal were discordant and disorganized. The NGT noted that this case had been placed before the court on June 4, 2020 after it was last heard on November 8, 2017 - a gap of three years.
The NGT directed that all necessary actions for dealing with the issue should be completed in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal has to submit a report on the present status in respect of the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 with particular reference to the present dumping ground.