The West Bengal government has presented a comprehensive and time-bound action plan to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to resolve the severe solid waste management crisis at the critically overburdened Belgachia dumpyard in Howrah. This move comes after the tribunal's suo motu intervention based on a media report highlighting the site's dire state.
A ₹196 Crore Two-Pronged Strategy
In an affidavit filed by Joly Chaudhuri, director of the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA), the state has committed significant funds and set clear deadlines. The plan, formulated in response to the NGT's September 25, 2025 order, outlines two major financial commitments.
Nearly ₹96 crore has been sanctioned for large-scale bio-mining and land reclamation of legacy waste at the Belgachia Trenching Ground. This project, executed through the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), aims to scientifically process approximately 10 lakh metric tonnes of accumulated waste. The work is divided into Phase I and Phase II, with a target completion date of December 2027. Officials have planned a processing rate of around 2,000 tonnes per day, accounting for potential monsoon disruptions.
Simultaneously, an additional ₹100 crore has been earmarked for establishing a dedicated waste processing plant for the Howrah Municipal Corporation. This new facility will be built on a 16.7-acre plot at Baigachi Mouza and is also scheduled to be commissioned by December 2027. As an interim measure to prevent further pile-up at Belgachia, segregated waste from door-to-door collection is being redirected to the Dhapa and Baidyabati dumping sites.
Grassroots Segregation and Broader Pollution Control
The affidavit highlights that door-to-door collection and waste segregation have already been initiated in 25 of Howrah's 50 wards. The state has a phased plan to extend this coverage to all wards by March 31, 2026. Civic officials have been directed to finalize ward-specific micro-plans encompassing markets and commercial establishments. This granular approach is designed to ensure that fresh waste does not become the legacy waste of the future.
Recognizing that the Belgachia area's pollution issues extend beyond solid waste, the action plan also addresses sewage and septage management. Major drains have already been diverted to the 65-MLD Arupara sewage treatment plant. Furthermore, septage from household septic tanks is being co-treated at the faecal sludge treatment facility within the same complex. Pollution-abatement schemes for other critical canals and khals in the area are currently under preparation.
Strict Monitoring and Rehabilitation Measures
A robust monitoring framework has been established to ensure adherence to the plan's timelines. Minutes from high-level review meetings in October and December reveal a multi-tiered system:
- Weekly and fortnightly reviews by the KMDA.
- Monthly reviews chaired by the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department.
- Penalty clauses for agencies that miss their deadlines.
The District Magistrate of Howrah has been tasked with overseeing rehabilitation measures, which include providing new housing for 60 families affected by the dumpyard's operations. Environmental experts involved in the process have emphasized the urgency of accelerating bio-mining to mitigate health and ecological risks for the densely populated neighbourhoods surrounding Belgachia. The NGT is expected to evaluate the adequacy of this plan and its compliance milestones in an upcoming hearing.
