"Horrifying": Supreme Court orders meeting of Centre, municipal bodies for immediate solution on solid waste

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed its shock at the sordid state of affairs in tacking the rising levels of untreated solid waste in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) [In Re: Report of CAQM on Municipal Solid Waste in Delhi].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. ."We hope and trust authorities take the issue with great seriousness as prima facie we find that they have not considered the consequences of untreated solid waste generated daily. We emphasise that it directly affects fundamental rights of citizens under Article 21 to live in pollution free environment," the Court said. .The bench was hearing a case dealing with the deteriorating air quality in Delhi and stubble burning in nearby States, which is said to be one of the biggest contributors to air pollution..The Court had earlier expressed shock over the problems surrounding solid waste management in Delhi, noting that the city was producing around 3,000 tonnes of solid waste everyday in excess of its processing capacity..During the hearing today, the Court expressed concern over the projected escalation of untreated waste."Someone has to apply their mind. This has to stop before it becomes 6,000 tonnes of excess untreated solid waste by 2027. Tell us which industries and constructions have to be stopped," the Bench demanded. .Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy, representing MCD, assured the Court that capacity would be increased within three years.She also pointed out that four waste processing plants were entangled in litigation..However, Justice Oka admonished the lack of urgency, emphasizing the gravity of the situation given that the issue pertained to the national capital. "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, you are not. We will summon the highest corporation officer. Nobody is bothered. Union should hold a meeting to ensure this 3000 is not increased further and tackled," he said..Not satisfied with response regarding the extent of untreated waste, the Court demanded clarity and passed the order to convene meeting of Union ministry and other municipal bodies. The matter will be heard again on July 26. .Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.