NGT Criticises Punjab for Inadequate Waste Management Efforts

09 Apr 2025 CW Team

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.

Infrastructure Urban

28 Oct 2025

GST Bachat Utsav Showcases Nationwide Relief and Growth Momentum

Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, and Ashwini Vaishnaw jointly addressed a press conference in New Delhi on the GST Bachat Utsav, underscoring the far-reaching benefits of the Next-Generation GST reforms implemented ahead of Diwali.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the revised GST rates—effective from the first day of Navratri—have simplified compliance by reducing slabs from four to two and ensuring greater benefits to consumers. The Finance Ministry is closely tracking 54 essential items to confirm that the lower tax rates are being passed on fully to end..

Indian Railways Operates 12,000 Special Trains for Festive Rush

Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, reviewed passenger movement at the Railway Board War Room and appreciated staff for their round-the-clock efforts during the festive season. He extended Diwali greetings to railway personnel across the country.To meet the surge in travel demand during Puja, Diwali, and Chhath, Indian Railways has deployed 12,011 special trains—up from 7,724 last year—ensuring smooth and comfortable travel for passengers nationwide. Between 1 and 19 October 2025, 3,960 special..

TRAI Evaluates Mobile Network Quality Across Assam Districts

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its Independent Drive Test (IDT) report for the Assam Licensed Service Area, evaluating network performance across Silchar city and Hailakandi and Karimganj districts. Conducted between 18 and 22 August 2025, the tests covered 284 km of city routes, 10 hotspot locations, and 2.4 km of walk tests.The assessment, supervised by the TRAI Regional Office, Kolkata, examined real-world service quality across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies in both urban and rural zones. Key parameters included call setup success rate, drop call rate, laten..