Today(on 26th July),The Supreme Court slammed the MCD for failing to enforce Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, calling Delhi’s waste situation a severe problem and stressing the need for urgent improvements.
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NEW DELHI: Today(on 26th July), the Supreme Court slammed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for its glaring failure to implement the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The Court’s harsh criticism laid bare the MCD’s ineptitude, branding Delhi’s waste management situation as a “sorry state of affairs.” The scathing rebuke underscores the urgent need for the MCD to address its administrative failures and improve its waste management practices to mitigate the ongoing environmental and public health crisis.
The court’s criticism was directed at the alarming situation of solid waste disposal in Delhi, which threatens to escalate into a public health emergency. Over 3,000 tons of solid waste remain untreated daily, presenting a significant health hazard to the city’s residents.
A bench comprising Justice AS Oka and Justice AG Masih underscored the gravity of the issue.
The bench observed-
“The national capital generates over 11,000 tons of solid waste per day, while the daily processing capacity provided by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is only 8,073 tons.”
This substantial shortfall in waste management capacity has raised serious concerns among the judiciary.
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The court stated-
“We concur with the amicus curiae that this situation could potentially precipitate a public health emergency.”
This observation came alongside a strong rebuke of the current state of waste management practices in Delhi.
“This reflects a lamentable situation regarding the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, in the capital city.”
-the bench declared, emphasizing the urgent need for corrective measures.
In response to the dire situation, the Supreme Court directed the secretary of the Union environment ministry to organize a meeting involving officials from both the MCD and the Delhi government. The purpose of this meeting is to devise an immediate and effective solution to the waste management crisis plaguing the city.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on September 6, as the apex court continues to monitor the situation closely. The case pertains to the broader issue of solid waste disposal in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), reflecting the critical need for systemic improvements in waste management practices across the region.
