Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding compliance of municipal solid waste management rules, West Bengal, 22/02/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of 'Compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and other environmental issues' dated 22/02/2024.
The matter related to liquid and solid waste management in West Bengal. Half yearly compliance report dated December 18, 2023 has been submitted by the state of West Bengal.
On perusal of the six monthly report, the NGT noted that the total waste generation in the ULBs is 13469 TPD and the processing is only 3300 TPD. Therefore there is a gap in processing of around 8982 TPD. "However, actual gap will be 10,169 TPD as waste of 1187 TPD shown as secured land fill is not a waste processing as per MSW Rules, 2016". Thus, 10,169 TPD is getting accrued as legacy waste.
From the report it is also observed that out of 125 ULBs only 67 ULBs are covered under solid waste management and 58 ULBs are yet to be covered. From the report it is also observed that out of 125 ULBs only 67 ULBs are covered under solid waste management and 58 ULBs are yet to be covered.
Further the timeline for addressing the solid waste management in the balance 58 ULBs is December, 2024. With regard to legacy waste, there are 123 dump sites with 110.20 lakh tones. The time frame for clearing the dump site is December, 2024 and presently only 69 dump sites have been cleared so far. From the report it becomes clear that 1249.3 MLD is being discharged in untreated form thereby harming the receiving environment.
There is a huge gap in sewage and solid waste management and there is no progress in proper management of solid and liquid waste. The counsel for the state of West Bengal has submitted that the Chief Secretary of the State may not be prosecuted and last opportunity be granted to the state to show a better performance and compliance of orders of the tribunal in respect of solid and liquid waste management in the state.
The NGT, February 22, 2024 directed the Chief Secretary, West Bengal to file the next six monthly report in the form of affidavit and indicating the progress and compliance of directions of the tribunal. The court also directed the next listing of the matter on August 22, 2024.