The Times of India 16.07.2009
Garbage still being burnt at Pallikaranai, says HC panel
CHENNAI: In a damning report, an expert committee formed by the Madras high court to visit the Pallikaranai marsh and submit a report, has said burning of garbage continued unabated at the marsh and Perungudi despite several court rulings.
"The fire in the dumpsite continues despite specific orders of this court," said the report, which was tabled before the first bench comprising chief justice HL Gokhale and justice K Venkataraman. The bench has already appointed advocate V Karthik as amicus curiae, to assist the court in the matter.
The report said the existing method of handling municipal solid waste at Perungudi is not scientific and it violates mandatory provisions of law. Noting that the dumping area is progressively increasing, it said that no source segregation was done.
If power generation from waste is considered at the site, the air emission would adversely affect residents in the region, the report cautioned, adding, "if power generation is not considered, and if the stage is only up to manufacture of pellets, the end-use of pellets has to be established."
The available options are neither economical nor viable, it said, adding that the Chennai corporation and other civic bodies in Pallikaranai region must put a system in place to achieve zero waste management project within four years. Citing the case of West Bengal, New Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, the report also wanted the government to enact the Tamil Nadu Throwaway Plastic Articles (Prohibition of Sale, Storage, Distribution and Transport) Bill 2003.
On Wednesday, the court asked the Chennai corporation to file its reply by July 29, after the Alandur Municipality stated that it had stopped indiscriminate dumping and burning of garbage at the site.
"The fire in the dumpsite continues despite specific orders of this court," said the report, which was tabled before the first bench comprising chief justice HL Gokhale and justice K Venkataraman. The bench has already appointed advocate V Karthik as amicus curiae, to assist the court in the matter.
The report said the existing method of handling municipal solid waste at Perungudi is not scientific and it violates mandatory provisions of law. Noting that the dumping area is progressively increasing, it said that no source segregation was done.
If power generation from waste is considered at the site, the air emission would adversely affect residents in the region, the report cautioned, adding, "if power generation is not considered, and if the stage is only up to manufacture of pellets, the end-use of pellets has to be established."
The available options are neither economical nor viable, it said, adding that the Chennai corporation and other civic bodies in Pallikaranai region must put a system in place to achieve zero waste management project within four years. Citing the case of West Bengal, New Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, the report also wanted the government to enact the Tamil Nadu Throwaway Plastic Articles (Prohibition of Sale, Storage, Distribution and Transport) Bill 2003.
On Wednesday, the court asked the Chennai corporation to file its reply by July 29, after the Alandur Municipality stated that it had stopped indiscriminate dumping and burning of garbage at the site.