Srinagar: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed state government to commence work for establishing waste-to-energy power plant at Achan here by mid November.
As the matter came up before a bench of NGT headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, state’s counsel G. M. Kawoosa placed a copy of decision of the Cabinet giving approval to the proposal for establishment of the waste-to-energy plant at Srinagar.
Kawoosa also submitted that some time would be needed to complete the formality and award work to the successful bidder.
“In view of the statement made, we direct the Chief Secretary of State of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that the compliance to the Cabinet decision should be made without default and delay…we do hope that before the next date of hearing, the work shall be awarded and in fact preferably commenced at the site in question (Achan),” said the panel, adding, “We make it clear that we will not grant any further time on any ground whatsoever as it is merely an administrative compliance now to be made by the Department of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The panel also comprising Justice Jawad Rahim (judicial member) and Bikram Singh Sajwan (expert member) ordered listing of the matter in Mid November.
Earlier this month, the NGT had asked the government to take all steps for making the plant operational.
The NGT has observed that dumping site at Achan continues to adversely impact environment because of inaction on the part of State. It has also warned the government against delay in decision on setting up of the maiden waste-to-energy power plant in the state.
“In this matter the State of Jammu and Kashmir had taken numerous adjournments, in fact years, to finalise the tenders for establishment of waste to energy plant. We are informed that they are awaiting approval of the Cabinet, otherwise it has already been approved by all the agencies and instrumentalities in the State,” the NGT bench also comprising Justice Raghuvendra S. Rathore (judicial member) and Dr. Nagin Nanda (expert member), had said.
“The wastes collected is not only the one generated in the city of Srinagar, but even from the surrounding areas’ and it is being dumped at a place which is causing serious environmental pollution, pollution to groundwater by leachates and water bodies like Dal Lake and its various segments.”
It had said the people of the city, particularly the residents of nearby villages have a right for decent environment which is being “degrading continuously, affecting public health and adverse environmental impact because of inaction on the part of the State.”
“We are informed that nearly 450 MT of waste per day is being generated. To us it appears that this would convert the most beautiful city of our country into a waste dump deposit centre. We have been granting adjournment to the State of (J&K), considering that the State will take effective steps, but we are now realizing that for all this time the Tribunal had been passing various directions which still remain to be complied with and there is a need for expeditious action on the part of the State,” the NGT had added.
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