NGT Criticises Punjab for Inadequate Waste Management Efforts
WATER & WASTE

NGT Criticises Punjab for Inadequate Waste Management Efforts

Over two years after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a Rs 20 billion fine on Punjab for inadequate waste management, the state has reported an expenditure of Rs 7.2 billion towards addressing the issue. Despite this investment, significant gaps persist in both solid and liquid waste treatment across the state.

In its March 26 orders, the NGT emphasised the necessity for Punjab to comply with the Environment Protection Rules and the Supreme Court's directives on environmental safeguards. The tribunal's assessment revealed that approximately 4.775 million metric tonnes (LMT) of legacy waste remain unprocessed. Notably, the municipal corporations of Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar collectively account for 40.23 LMT of this backlog.

Furthermore, the NGT highlighted a shortfall of 765 tonnes per day (TPD) in wet waste processing and a 383 TPD gap in dry waste management. Regarding liquid waste, Punjab generates an estimated 2,219.19 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage, yet the existing treatment capacity stands at 1,983.99 MLD across 150 sewage treatment plants, indicating a treatment deficit of 235.2 MLD.

The tribunal has directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to submit a comprehensive action-taken report addressing these deficiencies. This report is to be filed via affidavit through e-filing at least one week before the next scheduled hearing.

Over two years after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a Rs 20 billion fine on Punjab for inadequate waste management, the state has reported an expenditure of Rs 7.2 billion towards addressing the issue. Despite this investment, significant gaps persist in both solid and liquid waste treatment across the state. In its March 26 orders, the NGT emphasised the necessity for Punjab to comply with the Environment Protection Rules and the Supreme Court's directives on environmental safeguards. The tribunal's assessment revealed that approximately 4.775 million metric tonnes (LMT) of legacy waste remain unprocessed. Notably, the municipal corporations of Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar collectively account for 40.23 LMT of this backlog. Furthermore, the NGT highlighted a shortfall of 765 tonnes per day (TPD) in wet waste processing and a 383 TPD gap in dry waste management. Regarding liquid waste, Punjab generates an estimated 2,219.19 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage, yet the existing treatment capacity stands at 1,983.99 MLD across 150 sewage treatment plants, indicating a treatment deficit of 235.2 MLD. The tribunal has directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to submit a comprehensive action-taken report addressing these deficiencies. This report is to be filed via affidavit through e-filing at least one week before the next scheduled hearing.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Set to Launch by 2028

India’s first bullet train is set to revolutionize high-speed travel along the western corridor, with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project aiming for a 2028 launch. This announcement marks a major milestone in India’s infrastructure goals, as it promises to reduce travel time between the two economic hubs from eight hours to just three.Spanning a planned 508-kilometre stretch, the corridor stands as a flagship example of Indo-Japanese collaboration in technology and engineering. Once operational, the train is expected to transform intercity mobility and place India among the select..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Gandhinagar Train Service Enhances Passenger Capacity

The Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express has increased its passenger capacity by adding four additional AC chair car coaches to meet the growing commuter demand on one of India’s busiest business corridors. This upgrade, effective from 11 May, raised the train’s seating capacity from 1,128 to 1,440 passengers, allowing it to serve 936 more passengers daily in both directions. The increase was described as a practical measure to accommodate the surging demand on the busy Mumbai–Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar route, which regularly operates at over 150 percent seat occupancy...

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Delhi Plans 12 Sewage Plants to Clean Najafgarh Drain Efficiently

Delhi’s ambitious plan to improve the water quality of the Yamuna River has gained significant momentum as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has begun work on 12 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) aimed at reducing the volume of untreated sewage being discharged from the Najafgarh Drain.This initiative forms part of the ongoing efforts to clean the Yamuna and restore the river’s health, which has long been a critical environmental issue for the national capital. Given the alarming pollution levels in the Yamuna, experts and officials consider this project a vital step toward addressing the persist..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?