Activist files PIL against TMC

A city activist has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court demanding that the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) implement Solid Waste Management Rules, 2000. In the petition, activist Chandrahas Tawade said that the HC must also restrain TMC from giving any new permission to housing complexes, if they do not have vermi-compost plants.

Dumping of garbage is a huge health risk for the residents of Thane. Daily 600 to 700 metric tonne waste is generated in Thane, which is dumped by the TMC at three locations – Hari Om Nagar, Diva and Diaghar.

"However, the TMC is not following any rules of solid waste management and the garbage is dumped carelessly at these spots," says Tawade.

Thus, in the PIL Tawade has prayed that the honorable court directs TMC to implement the municipal solid waste management rules 2000. "Direct TMC to impose conditions while granting building permissions to new upcoming housing complexes and buildings to have their own vermi compost plants. And also to restrain TMC from dumping the solid waste in the open space without being processed and restrain it from giving any new construction permission to housing complexes, without condition of having their own vermi compost plants," reads the petition.

He says that solid waste like plastic, metals, etc., can be recycled. "The problem of solid waste can be solved by reducing, recycling and reusing," reads the petition.

TMC commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal was unavailable for comments.

The matter is likely to come up for hearing on October 15.