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Time of India
16 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
NGT slams UP govt over gaps in sewage, waste mgmt report
Agra: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the Uttar Pradesh (UP) govt, citing several shortcomings in its report on the status of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and solid and liquid waste management across various districts of the state, including Agra. A three-member bench comprising chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, in its order released on Saturday, has directed the state to address the deficiencies and submit a revised report in a prescribed format ahead of the next hearing on July 28. According to the green tribunal's six-page order, the state govt's report, dated April 16 and submitted on May 24, "failed to identify critical gaps and did not comply with the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, and relevant Supreme Court (SC) directives". "Against the disclosure of 95% waste processing capacity (19,014 tons per day), the actual segregated waste stands at only 74% (14,884 TPD). This discrepancy needs clarification," the order stated. It further noted that the report failed to explain the operation of waste processing plants lacking mandatory authorisation under the SWM Rules. The tribunal pointed out that while the report covered waste generation in 762 urban local bodies (ULBs), it did not specify the actual quantity of waste being processed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký It also questioned the claim of 100% remediation of legacy waste at 60 sites, stating that no supporting evidence had been provided. Legacy waste refers to solid waste that has been collected and left untreated for years in landfills or open grounds. "Figures indicate that 60 sites have been remediated and only 26 remain with legacy waste. However, since many ULBs still lack processing facilities, there must be specific disclosure of legacy waste in those areas," the order said. Additionally, the NGT noted the absence of details on the operational status of waste-to-energy plants. The NGT also raised concerns regarding discrepancies in the planning and distribution of STPs. It pointed out that while some cities like Agra, Bijnor, Anupshahar, Chitrakoot Karwi, Pilkhuva, Kannauj, and Bela Pratapgarh have STPs with excessive capacity relative to sewage generation, many others, including Bahraich, Banda, Deoria, Fatehpur, Gonda, Hathras, Sambhal and Bhadohi, do not have STPs at all. It also flagged anomalies such as the case of Garh Mukteshwar, which reports zero sewage generation but has two STPs. The court was hearing the matter in the context of a 2018 SC ruling in Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti & others vs. Union of India & others, which issued key directives for controlling river pollution and improving the treatment of industrial and domestic waste. The apex court had mandated municipalities to ensure functioning STPs and set deadlines for new STPs and common effluent treatment Plants (CETPs), while also allowing the UP govt to approach the NGT to seek modifications in the implementation timelines. The NGT was tasked with monitoring compliance.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Noida cracks down on condos with no WTPs, space a squeeze, say residents
Noida: With parking and play area already a squeeze, Noida Authority's decision to serve notices to group housing societies that generate over 100 kg of waste daily but have no on-site waste treatment plants (WTPs) has left apartment owners' associations miffed. Under the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, waste treatment plants are a must for group housing societies built on plots spanning 5,000 sqm or more. Earlier this month, the Authority started issuing notices to societies that continued to dump waste in the open, asking them to draw up a waste management plan or face penalties, including recovery of disposal costs. In April, Noida CEO Lokesh M had also warned about deregistering apartment owners' associations (AOAs) of societies that violated environmental norms. AOA representatives and highrise society federations told TOI that the order was "autocratic" and failed to take into account that most group housing societies, including those in newer 7x to 10x sectors, were built or their building plans approved by Noida Authority before 2016 when designated space to hold and process a large quantity of waste within the compound wasn't the norm. A few others accused the Authority of trying to park the issue of waste treatment on group housing societies rather than addressing the frequent sanitation workers' strikes in the city. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "Asking group housing societies to build infrastructure for WTPs overnight is problematic. Societies are already fighting for space for parking and even play areas for children within the complex. Where is the space for a waste treatment plant or process?" Rajiva Singh, president of Noida Federation of Apartment Owners Associations (NOFAA) that represents over 80 high-rise societies, said. Nikhil Singhal, president of Noida Highrise Federation (NHRF) for 100X sectors, also called out the decision as "hasty", one taken without consulting AOAs or the residents' federations. "Most NHRF societies lack space for setting up WTPs as these were not a part of the original building plan drawn up by developer and approved by the Authority," Singhal said. Ashutosh Rai, AOA secretary of Gaur Grandeur Apartments in Sector 119, which was issued a notice on Monday, said, "Noida Authority's notice stated that we need to start processing our waste within the society. This is a one-sided communication with no formal platform for an open discussion," he said. While Gaur Grandeur is yet to figure out a resolution, some societies which are facing FIRs for allegedly discharging untreated sewage into stormwater drains have decided to take legal recourse. RG Residency, which was among the seven societies against whom FIRs were registered in April, challenged the action and obtained a stay from Allahabad high court that restrained Noida Authority from taking coercive action against the Sector 120 society "till the next date of listing" in July. Besides RG Residency, FIRs were filed against Sikka Karmik (Sector 78), Lotus Boulevard (Sector 100), Purvanchal Royal Park (Sector 137), Aims Max Gardenia (Sector 75), Prateek Stylome (Sector 45), and Amrapali Silicon City (Sector 76) for allegedly operating without functional STPs. According to Rajiva Singh, NOFAA had proposed a cluster-based approach for solid waste management under which a few highrise societies in a sector could come together and establish a WTP. "Our proposal was approved by the previous CEO some three years back. Also, land was allotted to the Federation by the Noida Authority to make this cluster approach possible through a people-private-administration partnership. But nothing has moved since then," Singh claimed.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SC cracks down on NCR waste crisis, orders officials to ensure 100% segregation
The Supreme Court on Thursday tightened oversight on solid waste management in the National Capital Region (NCR), directing Delhi and the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan to appoint senior officials as nodal officers to ensure 100% segregation and timely collection of solid waste. The directive came in response to a petition by lawyer-activist MC Mehta, seeking action against pollution. A bench led by justice Abhay S Oka also recommended that the Centre consider reducing the 18% goods and services tax (GST) on products made from recycled construction and dust waste, noting that the sector needs incentives. The court ordered states to submit realistic projections of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation over the next 25 years and to present corresponding action plans to handle the growing volume. It also mandated that nodal officers submit quarterly compliance reports starting September 1, 2025. Urban local bodies across NCR were tasked with clearing legacy waste from landfills and furnishing data to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on actions taken in response to complaints about pollution at construction and development sites. Additionally, the court directed a widespread awareness campaign on the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, which penalise failure to segregate waste at source. Bulk waste generators—those producing over 100kg of waste daily—must ensure no dumping, burning, or burying of waste in public spaces or water bodies. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) informed the court that it aims to achieve full segregation at source—including dry and wet, biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste—by January 2027. The Greater Noida authority said it plans to clear landfill legacy waste by August 2025. Haryana reported current segregation at 45%, with a target of 100% by year-end. Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the court along with senior advocate Udita Babbar, submitted recommendations to enforce strict timelines and proposed designating a high-ranking official responsible for implementation. The bench, also comprising justice Ujjal Bhuyan, said, 'We direct the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, UP and National Capital Territory of Delhi, as well as MCD, to designate a high-ranking nodal officer to supervise compliance to achieve 100% segregation of waste. The same officer shall supervise 100% collection of solid waste... The nodal officer, in both cases, shall file regular compliance reports, starting from 1 September 2025 and every quarter thereafter.' On the high GST charged on recycled products, the bench said, 'We direct Union government to consider this issue by placing it before the concerned authority. We recommend that the activity needs to be incentivised for the cause of environment.' The court also questioned the absence of a standing committee in the MCD and said it would revisit the issue at the next hearing. 'Considering large-scale construction and development activities, generation of MSW is bound to increase. All NCR states must make a realistic estimate of MSW generation in the next 25 years, so authorities are prepared to deal with the rising quantum.' The court directed states to outline measures being taken by September 1. It also asked the CAQM to file an affidavit detailing complaints received by state pollution boards and urban local bodies regarding dust and construction waste violations, and actions taken. 'The affidavit shall give categorical data, indicating number of complaints filed against individuals and government entities,' the court said, pointing out that states are empowered under the CAQM Act to act against violators.
