NGT asks DPCC to inspect microwave waste treatment unit at IHBAS

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to inspect a microwave waste treatment unit installed at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences here within two weeks.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel gave the direction after the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) submitted to it that the capacity of the waste treatment unit of the institute here at Dilshad Garden in North East Delhi was inadequate.

"DPCC is to monitor the functioning of the instrument under the Rules. Counsel for the DPCC states the DPCC will conduct its own inspection and inform this tribunal within two weeks. The Central Pollution Control Board may also file its report," said the bench, also comprising justices Jawad Rahim and R S Rathore.

The matter was then listed for the next hearing on July 27.

The green panel had earlier directed the premier institute to install and commission microwave waste treatment unit in its premises.

The tribunal earlier had also directed the Central Ground Water Authority to consider the institute's application for permission to extract ground water and dispose it within a reasonable time.

The direction had come after advocate Siddhartha Singh, appearing for city resident Balbir Singh, submitted pictures to the Tribunal alleging that the hospital was recklessly handling bio-medical waste and causing air pollution by burning garbage in the open.

A subsequent inspection of the hospital, however, had revealed that the institute was compliant with the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.