NGT raps SDMC over figures on waste generated in Delhi

The National Green Tribunal today rapped the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) over "inaccurate" data on various kinds of waste generated in the national capital daily.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar took strong exception over the data submitted by SDMC which said that Delhi generates nearly 10,000 tonnes municipal solid waste (MSW) per day besides other kinds of waste, which is processed at different plants.
The municipal corporation told the bench that apart from MSW, it also collects construction and debris (C&D) waste, flyash and silt from drains which is taken to waste-to-energy plants at Okhla, Ghazipur and Bawana for disposal.

However, when the bench enquired about the mechanism to segregate construction debris from solid waste, SDMC said it was being done by waste-to-energy plants at Ghazipur and Bawana and 3900 tonnes of C&D was separately taken there.
While noting that there was a difference in figures of collected C&D material and the quantity disposed of by three waste-to-energy plants, the green panel asked the corporation to clarify the issue by tomorrow.
"What is the use of submitting incorrect and false data. You never realise your duty and that is why no problem is solved in the courts. Instead of giving clear figures, you always try to mislead the tribunal. How did you come to the figure you have submitted to us. We are not interested in your impressive reports," the bench said.

The hearing remained inconclusive and will continue tomorrow.

Concerned over delay in the operationalising the waste- to-energy plants in capital, the tribunal had earlier constituted a "high-powered team" to inspect the plants at Okhla, Ghazipur and Bawana.
The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Sukhdev Vihar Residents Welfare Association praying for closure of waste-to- energy plant alleging that it uses illegal mass burning technology, causing air pollution.
In its application, the association had also told NGT that as per observations of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, mass burning technology should be stopped immediately.