NGT issues notices over waste dumping at Jalandhar's Wariana
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the state of Punjab, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Municipal Corporation of Jalandhar, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and the Local Bodies Department over the dumping of unsegregated legacy waste at the Wariana dump site in Jalandhar.
The NGT notices have been issued in response to a city-based social and environmental activist Tejasvi Minhas, who filed an application before the principal bench of the NGT, New Delhi, alleging large-scale violations of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, at the Wariana dump site in Jalandhar. The matter, (original application No. 97/2026), was listed for hearing on February 10.
During the February 10 hearing, the NGT issued notices to the respondents, including the State of Punjab, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change; Municipal Commissioner, Jalandhar; Divisional Commissioner, Jalandhar; Member Secretary of the PPCB and the Additional Chief Secretary, Local Bodies Department, Punjab.
The matter is listed for further hearing on March 17.
In his complaint, activist Tejasvi Minhas described the Wariana dump site as the oldest in Jalandhar — which currently contains approximately 20 lakh MT of legacy waste, forming what has been termed a "mountain of garbage." It has been alleged that the MC, Jalandhar, continues to deposit nearly 500-700 tonnes of unsegregated municipal solid waste at the site daily, aggravating the environmental burden.
The application states that the waste being dumped comprises mixed and unsegregated dry and wet waste, including domestic, commercial, recyclable, non-recyclable, medical and bio-hazardous materials. It has further been alleged that transportation of waste is being carried out in non-compartmentalised and uncovered vehicles, contrary to norms, a concern that has reportedly been flagged on many occasions by PPCB.
The plea contends that the site has exceeded its intended capacity and is operating in violation of environmental and pollution control standards. The applicant sought immediate directions to halt further dumping of waste at the Wariana site and remedial measures in accordance with environmental laws.
