Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding solid waste and sewage management in Assam, 19/03/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of 'Compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and other environmental issues' dated 19/03/2024.
The matter is related to solid waste and sewage management in Assam.
The matter was last considered on January 27, 2023, wherein the report by Assam said that waste processed (in TPD) was 532 and the gap in generation and processing was 752 TPD. The quantity of waste disposed of in landfills was 752 TPD and the quantity of legacy waste in the state in tonnes was 32.97 lakh MT. And when it came to sewage management, the quantity of sewage generated in the state in MLD was 435.35 and utilization of treatment capacity was nil.
The NGT, March 19, 2024 after going through the latest reports by Assam, found that in respect of daily generated solid waste, gap is still 752 TPD. However, it is said that legacy waste of 32.97 lakh MT has been reduced by 7.96 lakhs metric tonne which has been remediated.
However, the court pointed out that the report "has omitted that gap of 752 TPD in the last 14 months must have resulted in generation of more than 4 lakhs metric tonnes further legacy waste on account of unprocessed waste of 752 TPD and, therefore, remediation of 7.96 lakhs metric tonne does not represent a correct picture since further creation of legacy waste quantity has not been taken into consideration" Report showed that some steps are in process with regard to solid and liquid waste management but the fact remains that till date position, as it was on the last date, January 27, 2023 is virtually continuing and "there is no noticeable/appreciable improvement whatsoever". With regard to sewage management, gap is same - 435.5 MLD as it was on the last occasion.
When the court pointed out the deficiencies to the Assam government representative, the authority sought further time to file a detailed report.
The NGT also wanted to know as to in manner legacy waste has been remediated and disposed of particularly with regard to utilization of stabilized material and the residues/rejects arising out of biomining process. Similarly, no details have been provided on setting up of sewage treatment facilities and utilization of treated sewage with city and town-wise details. The court also found from record that direction of creation of a ring-fenced account of Rs 1043 crores has not been complied with so far. The NGT directed the Chief Secretary, Assam to file a further progress report as on August 31, 2024 by September 15, 2024.