NGT tells PPCB to survey Sangrur waste dumps, file report

Taking note of poor solid-waste management and the open burning of garbage, including toxic biomedical waste, a three-member Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava has directed the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to conduct a comprehensive inspection of all dumping sites, verify on-ground conditions and file an action-taken report at least a week before the next hearing.

Notices have been issued to the Punjab Chief Secretary; Secretary, Local Government; Sangrur Deputy Commissioner; Executive Officer, Municipal Council; and the Senior Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, Sangrur, asking them to submit replies by affidavit.

The Tribune has repeatedly highlighted the poor state of solid-waste management in Sangrur, which is also the home district of CM Bhagwant Mann.

Residents, led by advocate Kamal Anand, have approached the NGT accusing the Municipal Council, Civil Hospital and the district administration of “chronic and deliberate” violation of the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Anand said residents had been filing complaints for years without any action.

“Garbage is dumped on roads, burnt openly and biomedical waste is being mixed with municipal garbage on the Civil Hospital premises itself,” he said, adding that residents inhale toxic smoke daily. “When the authorities remained indifferent, we had no option but to approach the NGT,” he added.