Have plan for municipal waste disposal: NGT

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, June 20

The National Green Tribunal has directed the state to formulate an action plan with regard to the entire state for collection and disposal of municipal solid waste.

While passing this direction, the NGT headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar observed that “collection and disposal of municipal solid waste is the primary responsibility of the state and the local authorities, it should not shift its burden unduly to the project proponent but to provide help to ensure smooth and effective operation of the municipal waste plant so that the environment and public at large does not suffer.”

During the course of hearing it was informed to the NGT that the Municipal Corporation, Shimla and the Project Proponent are not treating the entire waste in the Waste to Energy Plant and therefore causing environmental and public health issues. 

On this it directed the Project Proponent M/s Elephant Energy Private Limited to start its Waste to Energy Plant by July 15. It further cautioned the Project Proponent if it failed to start its plant by July 15 then it would be liable to pay Rs 1 Lakh per day as environmental compensation. It also directed the Municipal Corporation, Shimla to extend all possible cooperation to the project proponent to ensure that the Waste to Energy Plant becomes operative by July15.