More time sought to shift Delhi bio-medical disposal plant

The city government Wednesday moved the Delhi High Court seeking extension of time to close the bio-medical waste treatment plant in south Delhi which is allegedly impacting health of residents of a nearby colony.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw posted for Thursday the plea of government and Synergy Waste Management Pvt Ltd, the company which established the bio-medical waste plant.

The Delhi government and the company sought extension of time to shifting the plant, which the court last year had ordered to be immediately closed down.

The court Dec 12, last year had ordered immediate closure of plant while hearing a contempt plea filed by the residents of Sukhdev Vihar who argued that Jan 15, 2013, a division bench had directed the government and the company to shift, within six months, the plant but the order was not complied with.

The company seeking extension of time said the alternative site given by Delhi government is not suitable and therefore time limit for shifting it be extended till May 18, upto which the contract between it and government is valid.

It said the local commissioner in his report March 5, 2009, said the site was not suitable as there were 66 residential staff quarters, a MCD primary school with 400 children nearby as well as existence of digesters gas holders and cooking gas pipeline s nearby the proposed location.

Site is located within 2 km from Okhla Bird Sanctuary which has been declared 'protected area', it added.

The counsel for the residents of Sukhdev Vihar objected to the plea of company saying the plant is situated barely 30 metres from Sukhdev Vihar and other colonies thus violating a basic Central Pollution Control Board norm, is a threat to the health and life to the 10 lakh people living around it.

He said that being very close to densely po pulated residential colonies, it was creating poisonous and hazardous environment for the residents.

In 2006, the Delhi government and Synergy Waste Management Pvt Ltd, had established the Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment Facility at Okhla area after obtaining consent from Delhi Pollut ion Control Committee (DPCC).