Chennai: The Southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to consider collecting wet waste and dry waste on different days, which may facilitate segregation at source.“Unless GCC adopts and strictly enforces source segregation measures, the existing challenges are likely to continue,” the bench comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, judicial member, and Prashant Gargava, expert member said.The tribunal also pointed out that GCC has not specified the time frame for completing the biomining process for 66.52 lakh tonnes of legacy waste at the Kodungaiyur dump yard and 29.28 lakh tonnes at the Perungudi dump yard.The tribunal passed the interim order in a proceeding initiated suo motu, based on a news report on bulk waste disposal issues in Chennai.When the plea came up for hearing, the tribunal was informed that the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and GCC have proposed to convene a meeting on June 29, to formulate a comprehensive action plan for addressing the legacy waste lying at Perungudi, Pallikaranai and Kodungaiyur, as well as the segregated waste that is being generated.A report filed by GCC submitted that zonation has been completed and that the responsibility for collection and management of waste in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, has been entrusted to private entities, Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited, and Sumeet Facilities Limited – Urbaser S A Consortium, while certain divisions continue to be managed by GCC itself.Recording the submissions, the bench said, “The report is not clear as to the role and responsibilities of each of these private entities, the manner in which end-to-end accountability is being ensured, and the timeline within which the legacy waste is proposed to be removed.”The tribunal then adjourned the hearing to July 2, for GCC to update the outcome of the June 29 meeting.
