Supreme Court Slams Delhi Government and MCD Over Untreated Waste Crisis, Calls Situation “Shameful”

Keywords: Delhi waste management, Supreme Court, untreated waste, Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, Ghazipur landfill, Bhalswa landfill, Delhi MCD, environmental pollution.

In a scathing indictment of the state of waste management in the national capital, the Supreme Court on Thursday described the untreated waste crisis in Delhi as both “shameful” and “shocking.” The Court criticized the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for their failure to treat nearly 3,000 tonnes of solid waste generated daily, pointing to a lack of compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and inadequate measures to address the environmental and public health hazards caused by illegal dumping.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and A.G. Masih expressed its dismay during proceedings, stating, “This is shameful. In the capital city of the country, this is happening.” Highlighting the dire consequences, the bench added, “One can only imagine the drastic impact of such untreated waste on the environment.”

Untreated Waste: A Persistent Crisis

The Court was informed that Delhi produces approximately 11,000 tonnes of waste daily, but its waste-processing facilities fall short by 3,000 tonnes. Moreover, around 800 tonnes of solid waste are illegally dumped daily at sites such as Ghazipur and Bhalswa, further exacerbating pollution levels and contributing to recurring landfill fires.

Court Summons Chief Secretary

The Court summoned Delhi’s Chief Secretary via video conference to explain the lack of progress. However, the responses were deemed inadequate, particularly regarding the absence of updated data and plans to enhance processing capacity.

The bench criticized the reliance on outdated figures and a lack of forward-looking measures. “You are still talking about 2016 Rules without considering current realities,” Justice Oka remarked. He demanded clarity on the status of compliance with the timelines prescribed under the rules, adding, “Eight years have passed since these Rules came into force, yet the Delhi government cannot even tell us which timelines have been met and which remain pending.”

Questionable Data and Delayed Action

Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, the amicus curiae assisting the bench, flagged inconsistencies in the data presented. She pointed out that the same figures on waste generation were repeated in multiple affidavits, raising doubts about their credibility.

Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy, representing the MCD, attributed the delays to pending litigation over tariffs for waste management plants. Singh opposed this justification, asking, “How many times have the MCD or Delhi government sought an early hearing in these cases?”

Environmental and Health Hazards

The bench expressed alarm over the environmental impact of illegal dumping, particularly at Ghazipur and Bhalswa. These landfill sites are notorious for recurrent fires that release toxic fumes, posing serious health risks to nearby residents. The Court directed the Delhi government to outline steps taken to prevent fires, manage pollution, and mitigate the adverse effects of waste dumping.

Court Directives

In its order, the Supreme Court directed the MCD to file a detailed affidavit by January 27, specifying the extent of compliance with the 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules and identifying unmet timelines. Additionally, the Delhi government was instructed to submit a separate affidavit by January 15, detailing measures being implemented at Ghazipur and Bhalswa.

The Court did not rule out the possibility of drastic measures to curb waste generation, stating, “Perhaps, someday this Court will have to consider stopping some developmental activities so that the generation of solid waste is reduced.”

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s stern observations highlight the urgent need for action to address Delhi’s waste management crisis. With untreated waste continuing to pose significant environmental and health hazards, it remains to be seen whether the authorities can implement the necessary reforms to bring about meaningful change.

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