The buffer zone around landfills is might be reduced to only 100 meters to allow more realty development in the acquired area.
Gujarat government is considering reduction of buffer zone around treatment, storage and disposable facility (TSDF) of industrial hazardous waste to just 100 meter in a bid to free land for construction activities.
The issue was discussed in a meeting on September 5, which was chaired by SK Nanda, principal secretary of forest and environment department.
According to central pollution control board (CPCB), a buffer zone must be created in around 500 metre radius of TSDF with no construction activity taking place in that zone. However, in the September 5 meeting, it was decided that for construction projects a 100 metre buffer zone will be kept around the existing TSDF and common effluent treatment plant (CETP). In case of new TSDF and CETP, 500 metre buffer zone was provisioned.
State government, however, has directed project developers to grow and maintain thick tree plantation. It has also prohibited ground water extraction within 1 km radius of TSDF/CETP. Municipal corporations are responsible for water supply to people living in the area.
There are 35-40 residential and commercial establishments around TSDF in Odhav and Vatva area. Developers believe that if these discussions turn into laws, 50 lakh square metre land will be available for development, said Kamlesh Gondaliya, former president of Maninagar Builders Association.
On the contrary, environment activists who decry the move, alleges that environment ministry is hand-in-glove with the developers. Rohit Prajapati, Paryavarna Suraksha Samiti said the state environment ministry is violating laws so that old constructions around the site can be regularised.
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