Latest news with #NationalEnvironmentalEngineeringResearchInstitute
Time of India
22-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Another fire despite 1.8 cr fine & NEERI probe on BMC
Bhopal: Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) is facing ongoing challenges with managing waste at the Adampur Landfill landfill site, a relocated site for waste from Bhanpur Landfill. A significant amount of waste, estimated at eight lakh metric tons, was moved to Adampur landfill during the scientific closure of Bhanpur landfill. The accumulated waste at the Adampur Landfill site has repeatedly caught fire. These fires pose a significant problem for the BMC, hindering proper waste disposal and leading to environmental concerns . The unmanaged waste is believed to be contaminating both groundwater and air quality in the surrounding area. The repeated fires have resulted in a penalty of Rs 1.80 crores imposed on the BMC. Furthermore, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to investigate the recurring incidents. Disposal of this garbage is not only the biggest challenge for the BMC but also the biggest headache. Cleanliness Team Focuses on Landfill Amidst Garbage Free City Survey According to reports, a team from Delhi is currently conducting a cleanliness survey to assess the Bhopal Municipal Corporation's claim of being a "Garbage Free City (GFC)." This assessment coincides with a fire at the Adampur Landfill site, adding to the corporation's challenges. BMC is reportedly attempting to minimize the survey team's awareness of the fire. However, this may prove difficult as the team is monitoring corporation-related news from various sources, including morning newspapers, electronic media, and digital platforms. The survey focuses on verifying the GFC claim. Adampur Landfill Fire Sparks Controversy As Activists Refute Reports A fire at the Adampur landfill site is raising concerns about its cause and management. While methane gas emitted from the garbage is often cited as the reason, environmental activists dispute this explanation. Activist Nitin Saxena claims the BMC has not properly disposed of garbage moved from Bhanpur to Adampur Landfill. He alleges the garbage is repeatedly burned to benefit the company contracted for disposal. Saxena states that the corporation believes "fire can dispose of garbage as fast as machines cannot, so fire is set again and again." The fire rapidly spread, engulfing half the pit in approximately 30 minutes. The incident has generated discussion on social media, with some questioning whether the temperature alone could have ignited the fire. Waste Dumpsite Fire Requires Extensive Response A significant fire in a garbage pit in Adampur Landfill prompted a widespread response from the fire brigade. All but one fire engine from every fire station in the city were dispatched to the scene, according to reports. According to BMC Fire Officer Saurabh Patel, the fire is now under control. However, strong winds are causing the fire to flare up intermittently, and smoke continues to emanate from the pit, spreading to nearby areas.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Assess glass industry impact on Taj Mahal: Supreme Court to NEERI
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (April 22, 2025) directed the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to conduct an assessment of the nearby glass industries impacting the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh. A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan directed NEERI to file an affidavit indicating the timeline for the assessment's completion. The top court said all government agencies including the pollution control board should assist NEERI in the exercise. "We want to know the extent of pollution caused by these industries. If we find that these industries are causing pollution, we won't hesitate to order shifting of these units. Some examination has to be made about the extent of pollution," the bench said. The bench then directed the U.P. pollution control board to constitute a team for visiting the industries mentioned in the affidavit filed by the state and examine the aspect of pollution from these industries. "After completing study of five industries, the pollution control board shall submit the interim report so that appropriate directions can be issued," the top court added. The top court had previously deplored the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) authority on environment protection in and around the Taj Mahal asking it whether the preservation of the iconic monument was a "tamasha" (drama) or a "joke. TTZ is an area of about 10,400 square kilometer spread over the districts of Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras and Etah in Uttar Pradesh and Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. The apex court has been monitoring development in the area to protect the Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal at Agra. The ivory white marble mausoleum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
