NGT takes note of unscientific waste dumping at Achan landfill site

Srinagar, Mar 24: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken strong note of unscientific waste dumping at Achan landfill site in the summer capital.

In a landmark order that would ensure clearance of massive legacy waste from Achan Saidapora landfill site, the NGT is mulling to take action against the eight commissioners who were posted in Srinagar Municipal Corporation between 2017-2025. In addition to it, the incumbent Commissioner has been directed to give an undertaking to ensure 11.50 lakh metric tons of legacy waste that is dumped at the Achan landfill site would be cleared in 2 years.

This order came after Commissioner SMC Owais Ahmad informed the NGT that it would require at least 2 years to clear the landfill site of such a huge quantity of legacy waste. Details reveal that case titled Raja Muzaffar Bhat v/s Union of India and others regarding unscientific dumping of municipal solid waste at Achan was listed before the three member bench of Justice Prakash Srivastava (Chairman) , Justice Sudhir Aggarwal (Judicial Member) and Dr Senthil Vel (Expert Member).

Commissioner Srinagar, Municipal Corporation Owais Ahmad, Regional Director J&K Pollution Control Committee Abhijeet Joshi, GM  Kawoosa Govt counsel , Rajkumar counsel for Central Pollution Control Board-CPCB and Itisha Awasthi Counsel for the petitioner Raja Muzaffar Bhat were present during the hearing.  SMC Commissioner Owais Ahmad stated before the NGTs three member bench that he will furnish an undertaking and take the responsibility to ensure that within the said timeline2 years the entire work of clearing legacy waste will be completed through bioremediation process.  The commissioner was directed to furnish an undertaking within 10 days before the Tribunal.

During the hearing Regional Director J&K Pollution Control Committee Abhijeet Joshi informed that around Rs 12 crore penalty will be imposed on SMC as Environmental Compensation and civil action will also be initiated against 8 former commissioners who were posted in SMC between 2017-2025

“ So far as respondent J&K PCC is concerned it has filed the reply dated 18.03.2025 disclosing the steps which are being taken to initiate civil action against the officers responsible for violation under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. A list of 8 such officers who were posted as Commissioners, Srinagar, Municipal Corporation from 2017 onwards has been enclosed and three weeks has been sought to file a complaint before the competent forum/Adjudicating officer. Prayer is allowed. Let further progress report be filed by J&K PCC within four weeks” reads the order

In addition to it, the SMC Commissioner told NGT in writing that Leachate Treatment Plant-LTP will be made operational, application of anti-odour chemicals and bio enzymes green buffer zone plantation of 3,200 trees will be done by June 2025 as immediate action. In addition to it short , medium and long term solutions have also been proposed which includes clearing of the entire landfill site by March 2027 .