Punjab and Haryana High Court seeks updated report on Dadu Majra dump

Chandigarh, August 1

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked UT MC Commissioner to submit an affidavit outlining the steps initiated in accordance with the civic body’s action taken report on the Dadu Majra dump.

The direction by the Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Arun Palli came on two petitions filed in public interest by the residents.

The direction came after the corporation submitted a 46-page action taken report (ATR) on the dump in accordance with the directions issued by the Bench on a previous date of hearing. One of the petitioners, Amit Sharma, contended the MC had been giving similar replies in its ATRs over the past six years.

Rebutting the claim made by the corporation in its reply, Sharma said the MC should be able to clear the waste in three months, going by its claims. Sharma said they were clearing the existing “legacy waste”. But new waste was accumulating at the dumping site.

The corporation, on the other hand, submitted it was using micro-organisms to remove the foul smell emanating from the dump, even as Sharma claimed there was no respite from the smell and leachate at the site. It was leading to diseases such as skin and respiratory ailments amongst locals, including women and children. More than 50,000 people were suffering.

Appearing in person, Sharma and advocate Ranjan Lakhanpal — representing the other petitioner — contended solid waste management gave clear guidelines on how to test and treat smell. But the corporation was not implementing these.

After hearing the arguments, the Bench allowed time to Sharma to submit his rejoinder. It also directed the MC Commissioner to file an updated action taken and compliance report on the next date of hearing. The direction came nearly six years after the alleged dumping of environmental and other health concerns by the authorities in the Dadu Majra area was brought to the High Court’s notice. The Bench was hearing petitions filed against the UT Administration and the corporation by city resident Amit Sharma in person and Dipti Singh through counsel Ranjan Lakhanpal.

Dadu Majra mess

• HC asks MC Commissioner to submit affidavit listing steps initiated based on its action taken report
• The order comes after petitioner contends the MC has been giving similar replies for past six years