Bandhwari Landfill Fire: NGT Issues Notice to MoEFCC

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a response from relevant authorities, including the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), regarding the recent blaze at the Bandhwari landfill site in Gurugram. The fire erupted at the site situated along the Gurugram-Faridabad Road, shortly after a significant blaze occurred at the Ghazipur waste site in east Delhi.

The landfill site in Gurugram receives waste from the civic bodies of Gurugram and Faridabad. The NGT addressed the issue during a hearing where it had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a newspaper report regarding the fire.

The Bench

A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel observed that the report suggested the blaze might have been caused by the combustion of methane gas, raising concerns about alleged insufficient precautionary measures.

“The news article highlights significant matters pertaining to the adherence to environmental regulations, particularly concerning fire prevention and landfill gas management,” stated the bench.

Respondents

The green panel included several authorities as parties or respondents, including the MoEFCC, Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), as well as the district magistrate (DM) and municipal corporation commissioner of Gurugram. It was noted that the counsel representing the HSPCB, DM, and commissioner requested four weeks to submit their responses. “Notice shall be issued to MoEFCC, CAQM, and CPCB to file their responses,” the tribunal stated.

The case is scheduled for further proceedings on July 18, 2024.

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