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NGT Orders MCD to Submit Time-Bound Plan for Ghazipur Landfill Cleanup

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to submit a time-bound action plan for clearing legacy waste and managing daily waste at the Ghazipur landfill. The directive comes in a case initiated after a major fire incident at the site raised environmental and public health alarms. The tribunal's order follows an inspection report that flagged serious lapses, including exceeding height limits and poor leachate management contaminating the Yamuna. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on July 6.

Key Points: NGT Directs MCD on Ghazipur Landfill Action Plan

  • NGT directs time-bound action plan
  • Addresses legacy and daily waste management
  • Follows serious lapses flagged by Court Commissioner
  • Case stems from major fire incidents and pollution
2 min read

NGT directs MCD to submit time-bound plan for Ghazipur landfill

NGT directs Delhi's MCD to submit a time-bound plan to clear legacy waste and manage daily waste at the Ghazipur landfill site, citing fire and environmental hazards.

"Major fire erupts at Delhi's Ghazipur landfill site, smoke engulfs region - Media Report"

New Delhi, April 9

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to place on record a time-bound action plan for clearing legacy waste and managing daily waste at the Ghazipur landfill site.

A Bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad granted four weeks' time to the MCD to examine the submissions filed by the Court Commissioner in response to its status report.

The direction came in a suo motu case registered on the basis of a media report titled "Major fire erupts at Delhi's Ghazipur landfill site, smoke engulfs region", highlighting recurring fire incidents and environmental concerns at the dumpsite.

"Respondent - MCD is also directed to place on record the time-bound action plan for clearing the waste dumped in Ghazipur landfill site and for treating the daily waste which is reaching the said landfill site," the green tribunal said in its order.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on July 6.

The NGT has been monitoring the issue of solid waste mismanagement at the Ghazipur landfill site since April 2024, when it took suo motu cognisance of a major fire incident that engulfed nearby areas in smoke and raised serious environmental and public health concerns.

Earlier, in March 2025, the NGT had appointed an advocate commissioner to verify the ground situation after finding inconsistencies between reports filed by the MCD and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

In her inspection report, the Court Commissioner had flagged several serious lapses, including the landfill height exceeding permissible limits, the absence of boundary walls leading to waste spilling into nearby drains, and a lack of proper leachate management resulting in contamination of drain water flowing into the Yamuna.

Taking note of these deficiencies, the green tribunal had earlier directed the MCD to furnish a workable and time-bound plan for waste processing, biomining of legacy waste, and prevention of fire incidents and environmental hazards.

Subsequently, in October 2025, the NGT had sought details regarding the utilisation of waste-to-energy plants and the quantum of electricity generated, while continuing to examine compliance by the civic authorities.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Four weeks for another "plan"? How many plans have we seen? The issue is execution and accountability. The court commissioner's report about waste spilling into drains and the Yamuna is shocking. This is our drinking water source being poisoned. 😠
A
Aman W
While I appreciate the NGT's monitoring, we also need better waste segregation at source. MCD can't manage if we residents don't separate wet and dry waste properly. It's a collective responsibility. Let's all do our bit.
S
Sarah B
I live in Noida and on bad days, the haze from Ghazipur is visible here. This is a trans-boundary pollution issue affecting the entire NCR. The focus on waste-to-energy is good, but biomining of the old mountain of waste is crucial. Hope the July hearing brings concrete deadlines.
K
Karthik V
The fact that there were inconsistencies between MCD and CPCB reports says it all. Someone is not telling the truth. Strong, independent monitoring is the only way. The NGT should impose heavy fines for missing deadlines in this new action plan.
M
Meera T
This has been going on for years. My father developed asthma after we moved near this area. It's a man-made disaster. I respectfully think the NGT could be even stricter. Why grant more time? The lapses are clear and documented. Immediate corrective orders are needed.

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