NGT Directs GPCB to Recover Rs 10.92 Crore from Hazardous Waste Processing Firm
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone Bench at Pune, has issued a significant directive to the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), ordering it to recover a substantial sum of Rs 10.92 crore from Eco Waste Management (EWM). This firm is responsible for processing hazardous waste at a site in Palej GIDC, Bharuch district, where it received waste from various industries.
Background of the Environmental Violation
Eco Waste Management operated as a pre-processing facility that was previously authorized to handle hazardous waste from multiple industries. Its role involved processing this waste to make it suitable for co-processing in the cement industry. However, the situation escalated in 2023 when units within the GIDC and the Palej industries association began lodging complaints about pollution, particularly concerning foul odors emanating from the hazardous waste.
In response to these complaints, the GPCB took action by issuing a closure notice to EWM. The matter was further escalated to the NGT after a petition was filed seeking the execution of an earlier order for the removal of hazardous waste from the site. Despite the tribunal issuing notices to EWM, no representatives from the firm appeared during the hearings, highlighting a lack of compliance.
Financial Implications and Legal Accountability
The GPCB informed the NGT last month that accumulated hazardous waste was being removed from the site, with the total expenditure required for this removal and handling amounting to Rs 10.92 crore. In its affidavit, the GPCB detailed that EWM had tendered a notarized affidavit in December 2021, stating that both EWM and the lessor of the site would be jointly liable for remediation and compensation in the event of any environmental damage.
As the GPCB assured the NGT that the waste removal process would be completed soon, the tribunal disposed of the application with a clear directive. The NGT ordered that "the amount of Rs 10,92,82,560 be levied by the GPCB from the Project Proponent, i.e., respondent no. 2 (EWM), which shall be utilised for removing hazardous waste at the site in question within 2 weeks thereafter."
Implications for Environmental Governance
This case underscores the critical role of regulatory bodies like the NGT and GPCB in enforcing environmental laws and holding firms accountable for their actions. The directive to recover such a significant amount from EWM serves as a stern warning to other companies involved in hazardous waste management, emphasizing the financial and legal consequences of non-compliance with environmental standards.
The incident in Palej GIDC highlights ongoing challenges in managing industrial waste in Gujarat, a state with a dense concentration of manufacturing units. It also reflects broader issues in India's environmental governance, where timely action and strict enforcement are essential to prevent long-term ecological damage and protect public health.
Moving forward, this ruling may prompt stricter monitoring and quicker responses from pollution control boards across the country, ensuring that hazardous waste processors adhere to their responsibilities and mitigate risks to the environment and local communities.
