National Green Tribunal Considers Legal Action Against Eight Former Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioners
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Synopsis
The National Green Tribunal is exploring civil action against eight former Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioners, focusing on the urgent need to clear 11.50 lakh metric tons of waste from the Achan Saidapora landfill by 2025.
Key Takeaways
- NGT is pursuing civil action against eight former SMC Commissioners.
- 11.50 lakh metric tons of legacy waste to be cleared in two years.
- Immediate steps include operationalizing a leachate treatment plant.
- Environmental penalty of Rs 12 crore imposed on SMC.
- Green buffer zone with 3,200 trees planned by June 2025.
Srinagar, March 24 (NationPress) In a ruling with significant implications, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) is considering initiating civil action against eight former Commissioners of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), who served from 2017 to 2025.
The NGT's directive is expected to facilitate the removal of a substantial amount of waste from the Achan Saidapora landfill site in Srinagar.
Besides contemplating action against the eight previous SMC Commissioners, the current Commissioner has been instructed to provide an undertaking to guarantee that 11.50 lakh metric tons of accumulated waste at the Achan landfill will be eradicated within two years.
This order was issued following Commissioner Owais Ahmad's statement to the NGT indicating that clearing such a vast quantity of legacy waste would take a minimum of two years.
Information obtained from IANS indicates that the case titled Raja Muzaffar Bhat v/s Union of India concerning the improper disposal of municipal solid waste at Achan was presented before a three-member bench led by Chairman Justice Prakash Srivastava, Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Aggarwal, and Expert Member Dr. Senthil Vel on March 20.
During the session, the SMC Commissioner, along with J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) Regional Director Abhijeet Joshi, government counsel G.M. Kawoosa, and Central Pollution Control Board's counsel Rajkumar, as well as counsel for the petitioner Itisha Awasthi, were present.
The SMC Commissioner assured the NGT panel that he would submit an undertaking, accepting responsibility to ensure that the entire task of clearing the legacy waste is completed through the bioremediation process within the stipulated two-year period.
He was ordered to present this undertaking to the Tribunal within ten days.
During the proceedings, the J&K PCC Regional Director mentioned that approximately Rs 12 crore would be levied as a penalty against the SMC as environmental compensation, and that civil action would be pursued against the eight former Commissioners who held office from 2017 to 2025.
The NGT's order stated, "The J&K PCC has filed a response dated 18.03.2025, detailing the measures being taken to initiate civil action against the officials accountable for violations under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. A list of the eight officers who served as SMC Commissioners since 2017 has been included, and three weeks have been requested to file a complaint with the appropriate forum/adjudicating officer. The request is granted. The J&K PCC is to submit a further progress report within four weeks."
Additionally, the SMC Commissioner informed the NGT in writing that the Leachate Treatment Plant (LTP) would become operational, anti-odour chemicals and bio-enzymes would be applied, and a green buffer zone with 3,200 trees would be planted by June 2025 as an immediate measure.
Furthermore, he proposed a range of short, medium, and long-term solutions that include the complete clearance of the landfill by March 2027.
