NGT directs groundwater test near Bandhwari landfill in Gurugram [Read Order]

Gurugram (Haryana): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently directed the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) to constitute a team, with representatives of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, to test the quality of groundwater of five villages surrounding the Bandhwari landfill once every month to check contamination.

The tribunal asked MCG to determine the nature of contamination at Baliawas, Balola, Dera Mandi, and Gwal Pahari. It also asked the civic body to inspect the health conditions of villagers if contamination was found.

“…we direct Municipal Commissioner, Gurugram to constitute a team, which will have a representative of Haryana State Pollution Control Board to test the quality of groundwater of villages Bandhwari, Baliawas, Balola, Gwal Pahari and Dera Mandi and if it is found contaminated, to find out nature of the contamination, also to check health conditions of villagers and if necessary, to provide necessary health care facilities to the persons, who are suffering on account of contaminated ground water,” read the orders.

Notably, the development has come after various reports highlighted the increasing number of cancer patients in villages near the landfill in Gurugram district.

NGT further directed the Commissioner and Secretary of Urban Local Bodies Department, Vikas Gupta to file a personal affidavit with a clear timeline regarding various steps, which are necessary to be taken for clearing not only the entire legacy waste but also for processing fresh solid waste generated on a daily basis.

“We accordingly direct him (Vikas Gupta) to file a personal affidavit with a clear timeline in respect of various steps, which are necessary to be taken for clearing not only the entire legacy waste but also for processing of daily generated solid waste and also for the protection of damage caused to the environment due to seepage of leachate already done and for protecting the environment from any future damage,” read the orders.

Vikas Gupta had submitted before the tribunal that he was personally monitoring the situation every day. He said that effective and positive results shall be shown within a time-bound manner.

[Read Order]