NGT Takes Stern Action Against Punjab Civic Body Over Illegal Waste Dumping in Kurali
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has come down heavily on the Kurali Municipal Council in Punjab for illegal solid waste dumping along Siswan Road, terming it a clear violation of environmental regulations. The tribunal's intervention comes as a relief to residents who have been battling swarms of flies, mosquitoes, and unbearable stench for an extended period.
Residents' Plight and Tribunal's Directives
For families living along Siswan Road in Kurali city, mornings begin not with fresh air but with the foul odor of rotting garbage and persistent insect infestations. Opening windows has become a calculated risk, and allowing children to play outside feels unsafe due to health hazards.
The Principal Bench of the NGT, while hearing the matter on January 27, directed the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to file a detailed compliance and action-taken report within four weeks. Additionally, the tribunal sought a personal undertaking from the executive officer of Kurali Municipal Council, emphasizing accountability for the violations.
Scope of the Problem and Environmental Concerns
The illegal dumping site, spread over approximately five acres, is located within 200 meters of a highway and a water body, creating multiple environmental hazards:
- Absence of proper waste segregation mechanisms
- Lack of leachate treatment systems
- Mixed and plastic waste lying in open areas
- Presence of legacy waste near flood plains
Residents represented by Advocate Sunaina told the tribunal that the impact extends beyond Dashmesh Colony to neighboring areas including:
- Radha Swami Satsang Ghar
- Sunshine School and Guru Harkrishan School
- Sunfield School
- Crown City Colony and Rajindra Enclave
- Imperial Colony and several other localities
Regulatory Actions and Ongoing Violations
The PPCB had previously imposed environmental compensation exceeding Rs 80 lakh on Kurali Municipal Council on January 20 and directed the civic body to submit a time-bound action plan within 15 days. However, the tribunal observed that despite continued violations, effective steps to recover compensation or initiate action against responsible officials had not been taken.
The applicants alleged that the municipal council abandoned its earlier landfill site on Adhareda Road and, without obtaining statutory permissions, began dumping solid waste dangerously close to residential areas, posing serious risks to public health and the environment.
Looking Forward
The NGT's intervention has brought renewed hope to residents who say their complaints were ignored for years. The matter is now listed for further hearing on April 28, with residents anxiously awaiting concrete action to address the environmental and health crisis.
The tribunal's strong stance underscores the importance of strict adherence to Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and highlights the need for municipal authorities to prioritize public health and environmental protection in their waste management practices.
