The Supreme Court expressed shock over the problems surrounding solid waste management in Delhi, noting that the city was producing around 3,000 tonnes of solid waste everyday in excess of its processing capacity.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India voiced its alarm regarding the severe challenges posed by solid waste management in Delhi, highlighting the fact that the city generates approximately 3,000 tonnes of solid waste daily beyond its processing capabilities.
During a session, Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan remarked on the escalating pollution crisis in the national capital and requested feedback from the municipal corporations of Delhi and the Cantonment Board.
The court expressed dismay at a report by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which revealed a troubling discrepancy:
“One of the shocking features of the report submitted by CAQM is the finding that though the average daily generation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Delhi is around 11,000 tonnes, the capacity of the present waste processing plants is only to the extent of about 8,000 tonnes per day. Therefore, in the capital city, every day, 3,000 tonnes of MSW is generated which cannot be processed. Obviously, that is adding to the pollution. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 (the 2016 Rules) are in place for the last eight years. Even in the capital city, sadly, there is non-compliance with the 2016 Rules,”
-the Court stated.
To address this issue, the authorities were tasked with organizing a meeting with both the Central and Delhi governments to formulate a detailed action plan by the subsequent court hearing.
The ongoing case pertains to the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, exacerbated by stubble burning in adjacent states, recognized as a major source of air pollution.
Previously, the Court had advocated for an end to stubble burning and criticized superficial measures such as the odd-even vehicle scheme aimed at reducing air pollution. It further suggested that paddy farming be gradually discontinued in Punjab and imposed restrictions on non-Delhi registered taxis from entering the city.
On April 22, the Court required the states of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan to report on their efforts to address vacancies within their Pollution Control Boards.
Additionally, the Court ordered verification to ensure that all construction and demolition sites were duly registered on designated web portals, demanded stringent measures against non-compliant sites, and sought information on the operations of the Enforcement Task Force.
The next session on this matter is scheduled for May 13.
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