5 days ago
TNPCB levies ₹3.15 crore fine on Tiruppur Corporation for dumping wastes in abandoned quarry at Pongupalayam village
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has assessed payment of fine to the extent of ₹3.15 crore by the Tiruppur Corporation for failing to adhere to the directive of the National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone) to stop dumping of untreated municipal wastes at an abandoned quarry at Kalamapalayam in Pongupalayam village in Tiruppur North Taluk.
A petition submitted to the NGT (SZ) by Satishkumar R., environmental activist of Pongupalayam, held the District Collector, the TNPCB, Tiruppur Corporation and Srinivas Waste Management Services (P) Ltd. responsible for the dumping of unsegregated wastes in the abandoned quarry, by flouting an earlier order of the NGT (SZ).
Based on an inspection carried out on July 4, District Environmental Engineer, Tiruppur North, S. Bharathiraja, in his report submitted before Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member, and Satyagopal Korlapati, Expert Member, on July 16, said the Tiruppur Corporation and the private entity had been directed to remove the wastes dumped, and undertake comprehensive clean up and remediation.
The TNPCB report also directed the respondents to identify a legally compliant site for establishment of a municipal solid waste management-cum-disposal facility, and dispose wastes in strict compliance with the law.
According to the report, the Tiruppur Corporation had continued dumping of unsegregated municipal solid waste in the quarry in Survey 206 against the order of NGT SZ dated January 31, 2025. As the quarry had got filled, the local body capped the dumped quarry with a layer of sand. The civic body was subsequently continuing the dumping / firing of the wastes at another abandoned quarry on south-eastern side of the capped quarry. During inspection, smoke was also observed emanating from the dump site, the report said.
The Corporation had not obtained necessary authorisation under SWM Rules 2016, and the violation required the local body to pay compensation of ₹5 lakh per month, from April, 2021, which amounts to ₹3.15 crore till June 30, the TNPCB report said.
