NGT sets up panel to inspect, furnish report on waste unit near Kanakapura Road

BENGALURU: Running against time to get clearance for reopening Mittaganahalli landfill as its Bellahalli landfill is almost full, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is now facing the ire of National Green Tribunal (NGT) over the Lingadeeranahalli waste processing unit off Kanakapura Road, which a petitioner has alleged is illegal.
NGT’s principal bench has constituted a four-member committee, directing it to submit a report on the unit in the next two months.The panel consists of one senior scientist each from the regional office of ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEF) in Bengaluru, Central Pollution Control Board’s regional office in the city, CSIR, NEERI Nagpur and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. The plant has a capacity to dispose of 200 metric tonnes of waste.
MoEF will be the nodal agency to coordinate the inspection and submission of the report. NGT’s judicial member Justice K Ramakrishnan said in his direction: “The committee will inspect the site and submit the report on the matter within two months. The next date of hearing is on October 23 and the committee shall submit the report to this tribunal before that by email.”
NGT was hearing a petition filed by Bengaluru resident Jayaram Gowda, who alleged that the waste management plant was set up in a place without meeting set criteria. He claimed though there was no environmental clearance, the project proponent had proceeded with the construction work.
Gowda told the tribunal that by the time environmental clearance was granted, the plant was fully operational, which made it clear that both the green nod and consent to operate were illegal. In spite of the prohibitory orders passed by the tribunal, garbage dumping continues in the area, he said.
Gowda also said the plant is situated on the boundary of BM Kaval reserved forest and near Sompura Lake and a residential area. “The unscientific manner in which garbage is being dumped, without complying with solid waste management rules, is causing environmental problems and health hazards,” he argued.
Counsel for BBMP, on the other hand, submitted that the plant was established on the basis of Karnataka high court directions. The Palike also claimed the plant is not operating now, while Gowda’s counsel disputed it.