A Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said that it was horrifying that this was happening in the national capital while authorities continued to remain indifferent.

"This is the capital city. What the whole word will say? Tell us what you will do for the situation now, answer this simple question. We will summon the highest corporation officer. Nobody is bothered. Union government should hold a meeting to ensure this is not increased further and tackled. Amicus has used the correct word, 'horrifying'. Everywhere (in NCR) it is. Nobody is bothered how to reduce (solid waste)," the Court said.

The Bench said that the issue is one which directly affects the fundamental right to life of citizens to live in a clean environment.

"We emphasise that it directly affects fundamental rights of citizens under Article 21 to live in pollution free environment," the Bench underscored.

The Court, therefore, said that an immediate solution would have to be devised but opined that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and other municipal bodies were not in a position to deal with problem.

"We are not even referring to other legacy wastes as of now. Considering the development taking place in Delhi and surrounding areas, it is obvious that generation of solid waste everyday is bound to increase and MCD and other authorities are not in a position to deal with that. The immediate measures needed is to ensure that present generation of untreated solid waste is not increased, authorities have to consider restraints on construction activities etc," the Court said.

Hence, it directed the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and municipal bodies of NCR to convene a meeting to formulate a solution to tackle the rising levels of untreated solid waste.

It also ordered the ministry and other bodies to come up with a concrete solution by July 19, failing which the the Court would pass drastic orders.

IndusLaw inducts 7 new Partners

Related Stories