Making strong remarks over the huge solid waste going untreated everyday in Delhi and nearby areas, the Supreme Court on Monday termed it as "horrible". The amount of waste that goes untreated every day is 3,800 tonnes. The Supreme Court also observed that it violated the fundamental right of citizens to live in a pollution-free environment.
Referring to data on generation of solid waste on a daily basis and the capacity to treat them in the NCR areas like Gurugram, Faridabad and Greater Noida, the top court observed that considering the development work which was taking place in Delhi and the surrounding areas, it was obvious that it would increase.
The authorities will have to consider various methods to do that, including putting restraints on construction activity in these areas, the court said. The apex court also directed the secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of the Government of India to convene a meeting of all authorities concerned to find a solution and place it before the court.
"In the event the authorities fail to come out with any concrete proposals, we will have to consider passing drastic order with a view to take care of the environment in the capital city of Delhi and surrounding areas," the bench said.
"We hope and trust that all the authorities will take the issue with great seriousness as prima facie impression which we gather is that none of the authorities have bothered to consider the drastic consequences of not having adequate capacity to deal with solid waste generated every day," it said.
Apex court grants time to submit report
The bench gave a time period till July 19 saying a report shall be prepared by the secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and placed before the cour. The apex court noted it was an accepted position by all concerned that within the limits of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), per day 3,800 tonnes of solid waste was generated which cannot be treated as the existing plants do not have the capacity to treat them.
The court said, "This is a sorry state of affairs in the capital city of Delhi." Calling it a "very vital issue" for Delhi, the bench insisted that there should be no politics over it.
On the MCD counsel’s argument that it will be possible to treat such excess waste only by June 2027 when an additional facility will come into existence, the court surprisingly commented that it means for a period of more than three years from now, Delhi will have 3,800 tonnes of untreated solid waste accumulating in some place every day!
"As noted in the earlier order, this poses a great danger to the environment of the capital city," it said.
Court quotes surprising lagging in solid waste treatment
Referring to an affidavit filed by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair, the bench said "something more shocking" has been brought on record. The affidavit noted that 1,200 tonnes of solid waste was generated in Gurugram daily while the capacity of processing was only 150 tonnes per day.
Also the bench said as per data, 1,000 tonnes of solid waste was generated daily in Faridabad but the capacity of processing was only 240 tonnes a day. During the hearing, the court insisted the authorities on finding a permanent solution. "Otherwise tell us which category of construction should we stop in Delhi. We will pass that drastic order", warned SC.
"Around 3,800 tonnes per day is untreated solid waste in the city of Delhi. Have you taken estimate how far will it increase?" it asked the counsel representing various authorities. "We are worried about this. What the whole world will say. In the capital city of India, 3,800 tonnes of solid waste being untreated every day as of 2024. What will happen in 2025, what will happen in 2026?", the court lamented.
SC asks Centre to look into the issue
Towards the fag end of the hearing, the bench told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was appearing before it in some other matter, that the Centre should also look into this issue. "What kind of scenario is this and what signal are we giving to the entire world? We talk about development, we talk about environment. What signal we are giving," the bench said.
It also enquired whether any authority has tried to prepare an estimate as to how much the quantity of untreated solid waste will increase in Delhi in the years to come.
"It is going to be an increase of three per cent per annum, which means 330 metric tonnes per day and the source for it is the 2041 draft Master Plan of Delhi," the counsel appearing for MCD responded. The bench has posted the matter for hearing on July 26.
(With PTI Inputs)
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