Jalandhar adds 380 tonnes to legacy waste daily; NGT demands plan

30 Aug 2024 CW Team

The NGT bench, led by Chairman Justice Prakash Shrivastva, emphasised that the affidavit must also detail the steps taken so far and identify the sources of funding required to meet these targets.

The order came during the hearing of an application filed by Varinder Malik and Tajasvi Minhas. The NGT noted that Jalandhar MC's additional commissioner, representing the MC commissioner, reported that 500 tonnes per day (TPD) of solid waste is generated within the city?s municipal limits, of which only 120 TPD is currently being treated. This leaves 380 TPD contributing to the legacy waste daily, with much of it being transported to the Waryana dump site near the city.

The bench also acknowledged grievances raised in the original applications regarding an illegal garbage dump behind Kewal Vihar, opposite the cremation ground in Model Town, Jalandhar. The applicants alleged that unsegregated mixed solid waste was being dumped at the site, posing a significant health hazard.

A report from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), cited by the NGT, confirmed the applicant's concerns about unsegregated waste dumping in Model Town. The report also noted that the MC had failed to provide bins or compactors at the site.

Furthermore, the PPCB report revealed that an environmental compensation (EC) of Rs 45 million had been imposed on the MC for violating the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The PPCB also directed the MC to submit a fresh bank guarantee of Rs 2.5 million within 15 days as an assurance to comply with the rules.

The PPCB stated that it would prepare and present the matter for imposing EC as per the NGT methodology by July 31, 2024, within seven days. The MC was also ordered to submit the remaining compensation of Rs 36 million, previously imposed up to March 31, along with the EC till July 31, within 15 days. The NGT further noted that the board has the authority to initiate legal proceedings against the MC and responsible officers if the rules are not followed. (TOI)

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed serious concern over the addition of 380 tonnes of solid waste to Jalandhar's legacy waste each day. In response, the NGT has ordered the city's municipal corporation (MC) commissioner to submit an affidavit within four weeks, outlining a time-bound action plan to achieve zero waste generation and remediate existing legacy waste. The NGT bench, led by Chairman Justice Prakash Shrivastva, emphasised that the affidavit must also detail the steps taken so far and identify the sources of funding required to meet these targets. The order came during the hearing of an application filed by Varinder Malik and Tajasvi Minhas. The NGT noted that Jalandhar MC's additional commissioner, representing the MC commissioner, reported that 500 tonnes per day (TPD) of solid waste is generated within the city?s municipal limits, of which only 120 TPD is currently being treated. This leaves 380 TPD contributing to the legacy waste daily, with much of it being transported to the Waryana dump site near the city. The bench also acknowledged grievances raised in the original applications regarding an illegal garbage dump behind Kewal Vihar, opposite the cremation ground in Model Town, Jalandhar. The applicants alleged that unsegregated mixed solid waste was being dumped at the site, posing a significant health hazard. A report from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), cited by the NGT, confirmed the applicant's concerns about unsegregated waste dumping in Model Town. The report also noted that the MC had failed to provide bins or compactors at the site. Furthermore, the PPCB report revealed that an environmental compensation (EC) of Rs 45 million had been imposed on the MC for violating the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The PPCB also directed the MC to submit a fresh bank guarantee of Rs 2.5 million within 15 days as an assurance to comply with the rules. The PPCB stated that it would prepare and present the matter for imposing EC as per the NGT methodology by July 31, 2024, within seven days. The MC was also ordered to submit the remaining compensation of Rs 36 million, previously imposed up to March 31, along with the EC till July 31, within 15 days. The NGT further noted that the board has the authority to initiate legal proceedings against the MC and responsible officers if the rules are not followed. (TOI)

Infrastructure Urban

05 May 2026

Meghalaya And Assam Hold Talks To End Transport Stoppages In Garo Hills

Meghalaya and Assam have opened talks aimed at ending recent stoppages of commodity transport in the Garo Hills, officials said. The deputy chief minister, in charge of home affairs, reported that both state governments are coordinating to resolve disruptions and to restore normal movement of goods. He acknowledged that misunderstandings may have contributed to the incidents and that clarification between administrative units is under way. The discussions are intended to produce practical arrangements that will allow consignments to move without hindrance while respecting local procedures. The..

Infrastructure Transport

05 May 2026

Kochi Metro Records 1.375 mn Rise In Passengers In FY26

Kochi Metro recorded a marginal rise in ridership in the financial year 2025-26, carrying 1.375 mn more passengers than in the previous year. The service carried 36.8 million (mn) passengers in 2025-26 compared with 35.5 mn in 2024-25, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.9 per cent. The growth was described as distributed rather than concentrated in isolated spikes. A month-wise analysis shows steady gains across quarters. In the first quarter, ridership increased from 8.57 mn to 8.84 mn, while the second quarter rose from 9.13 mn to 9.51 mn. These trends indicated broad-based improvemen..

Infrastructure Transport

05 May 2026

Ghaziabad Plans 16km Metro Link To Delhi Via Hindon Airport

Ghaziabad authorities are pursuing a 16 km metro link to Delhi that will run via Hindon Airport, and a detailed project report is under way. The plan is intended to improve connectivity between Ghaziabad and the national capital and to provide an interchange with the airport. Officials said the project is being studied to assess alignments, station locations and cost estimates ahead of formal approvals and tendering. The announcement follows the inauguration of the Delhi?Faridabad metro extension, which will offer hassle free travel for around 0.2 mn daily commuters between the national capita..