NGT rules in favour of Bandhwari Waste-to-Energy facility

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has turned down an appeal challenging the environmental clearance given to the Bandhwari Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plant in Gurugram. The NGT has refused to interfere with the Environment Ministry’s clearance for the setting up of the facility on its premises.

An appellant had challenged the clearance on the grounds that the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) had concealed information related to the ecologically sensitive areas around the site. He had also contended that the data on air quality provided by MCG was incorrect and a WtE plant would make the air-quality worse.

The Times of India reports that the NGT ruled that while data regarding air quality may be open to challenge, a huge waste site like Bandhwari cannot be left unattended. The garbage must be processed and removed. According to the NGT, a WtE facility is the need of the hour and appropriate vigilance by the state pollution control board should be done.