HC asks Delhi govt, firm to shift bio-medical disposal plant

"We, therefore, direct respondent No. 2 Delhi Government and respondent No 7 M/s. Synergy Waste Management Pvt Ltd to shift the bio-medical waste disposal facility, being operated near Sukhdev Vihar, to a suitable site," a bench comprising Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice V K Jain said.

The court's judgement came on two separate petitions filed by the residents of the colony and Synergy Waste Management Pvt Ltd seeking opposite reliefs.

The company wanted to operate from the existing site on the ground that it has been following the prescribed norms of waste management, while residents wanted it to be shifted away on the ground of adverse impact on their health.

Writing the verdict for the bench, Justice Jain said, "The site suitable for shifting of the said facility in terms of this order would be identified by the chief secretary, the Government of Delhi, within three months from today in consultation with DDA and DPCC and the facility in question would be shifted within three months thereafter, i.E. Within six months from today."

The court, however, allowed the company to "continue to operate the facility at the present site till it is shifted to a new site in terms of this order, or six months from today, whichever is earlier." (More)