NGT notice to Delhi, UP governments on waste burning in NCR region

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued notice to UP and Delhi governments on Thursday regarding a plea which alleged that in spite of a ban, indiscriminate burning of municipal solid waste took place in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR). A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar sought response from the governments, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) on the issue.

"What is this going on? Issue notice to governments of NCT Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, DPCC, UPPCB," the bench said. The order came after advocate Saliq Shafique mentioned the matter before the green panel and said that huge stretch of dry grass was put on fire along the Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) flyway on March 26.

The lawyer, appearing for Vardhaman Kaushik who has filed a petition on deteriorating air quality in Delhi and NCR, submitted various photographs showing burning of waste and grass at several places. He said that despite various orders being passed by NGT and undertaking given by the authorities concerned there was indiscriminate dumping and burning of municipal solid waste in various parks.

Imposing a complete ban on burning of waste in open including garbage, leaves, plastic and crop residues, theNational Green Tribunal had earlier said violators will be fined Rs. 5,000. It had made it clear that orders of the NGT are to be complied with as a decree order of a civil court and all authorities including the police are duty bound to carry them out.

In relation to burning of plastic and similar products, the bench issued directions to corporations and police authorities that "in no event they would permit burning of plastic or byproduct in any part of NCR-Delhi."