Court pulls up AMC for failure to tackle Pirana problem; seeks time-frame for closure
The Gujarat High Court has criticised the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) for its lackadaisical approach in dealing with the closure of Pirana landfill site and development of an alternate site. The division bench of Justice SR Brahmbhatt and Justice VB Mayani remarked that civic authorities should understand that beautification of the city without ensuring cleanliness is of no use.
The court's remarks came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Mohammed Kaleem Siddiqui, seeking proper management of the waste dumping site and development of an alternate site within a prescribed time frame.
Unhappy with the failure of the civic body in managing the Pirana dumping yard, the court remarked that the stench from the dump is so strong that it can be smelt in cars with windows rolled-up and air-conditioners working at maximum capacity. The bench also said the foul smell spreads to areas far from the dumping yard, which, health-wise, is a cause of greater concern.
The counsel for AMC agreed with the court's remarks and clarified that the issue is of grave importance. He also said that the civic body had tried to develop an alternative dumping site, but failed to do so due to widespread opposition.
With the AMC's counsel clarifying that the civic body is not treating the PIL as an adversarial litigation, the court has ordered it to provide by April 15, a time-frame within which the four-decade-old waste dumping site will be closed and an alternate site will be developed.
What the PIL says
The petitioner has submitted to the court that Pirana has been used as a landfill site for Ahmedabad since 1980, causing severe pollution and health issues for people living nearby. The petitioner also claimed that the dumping site is being used by civic authorities in gross violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and that it needs to be closed down and shifted to an alternate site to protect the health of locals.
Violation of rules by AMC in operating Pirana
THE VIOLATIONS INCLUDE
- Landfill sites need to be away from habitation clusters, but in case of Pirana, residential houses are located (not illegal settlements) within 50 meters
- Rules suggest that landfill sites should have phased construction and closure plan. Pirana has no closure plan
- Lack of proper fencing of the dumping site, with no steps taken to prevent the entry of unauthorised persons and strays
- No fire protection equipment
- Waste dumped is not covered with soil
- No steps taken to prevent ground and surface water pollution
- No landfill gas control system, which minimises odour generation, installed at dumping site
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 "Pirana landfill site")
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