NGT Bench Takes Stern Action Against Punjab's Illegal Waste Dumping Practices
The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi has delivered a scathing indictment against Punjab authorities for their persistent failure to address illegal solid waste dumping in the state. The tribunal specifically called out the municipal council of Sirhind and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) for significant regulatory lapses and environmental violations that have been ongoing for years.
Violations Documented at Hansla Nadi Flood Drain
In its detailed order in the case titled 'Public Action Committee vs State of Punjab & Others', the NGT recorded disturbing findings about waste management practices in the region. The tribunal established that solid waste had been illegally dumped on both sides of Hansla Nadi, a natural flood drain, without obtaining any statutory consent or authorization. This activity represents a clear violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules established in 2016, which set specific guidelines for waste disposal to protect environmental and public health.
Creation of New Illegal Dumping Site During Proceedings
Perhaps most concerning was the tribunal's observation that during the pendency of this very case, the municipal council of Sirhind created another unauthorized dumping site at Bassi Pathana in Fatehgarh Sahib district. This new site was established without obtaining the mandatory consent from the Punjab Pollution Control Board, a requirement under environmental regulations.
The NGT bench described this conduct as a "gross violation" of established environmental norms, highlighting the authorities' disregard for legal processes even while facing judicial scrutiny. The findings were substantiated by photographic evidence with precise geo-coordinates submitted by the Public Action Committee, along with an RTI response from PPCB that confirmed no No Objection Certificate or consent had been issued for the new dumping location.
Failure to Recover Environmental Compensation
The tribunal further noted that environmental compensation amounting to Rs 1.23 crore had been imposed for violations occurring between July 2020 and September 2025. However, the Punjab Pollution Control Board failed to take effective measures to recover this substantial amount. The NGT observed that even basic statutory actions, such as issuing a revenue recovery certificate to the district magistrate, had not been initiated by the regulatory body.
Empty Promises and Judicial Intervention
When the municipal council provided assurances that legacy waste would be cleared by March of this year, the tribunal rejected these claims outright. The bench remarked that such statements "have no meaning unless reflected in action on the ground," expressing skepticism about the authorities' commitment to genuine remediation.
In response to these multiple failures, the NGT has taken decisive action by directing the member secretary of the Punjab Pollution Control Board and the executive officer of the municipal council, Sirhind, to appear personally before the tribunal on April 27. Additionally, the PPCB has been instructed to examine reports of unauthorized construction at the new dumping site and take strict legal action in accordance with environmental laws.
This case highlights systemic failures in Punjab's waste management infrastructure and regulatory oversight, with the NGT's intervention representing a significant judicial effort to enforce environmental compliance in the region.
