The Supreme Court has overturned the National Green Tribunal’s decision to shut down a garbage processing plant in Baner, Pune, recognizing that such a move would be against public interest. The Court emphasized that closing the facility would shift the city’s waste management burden, leading to further nuisance and foul odour issues as organic waste would have to be transported across Pune, from the western region to Hadapsar in the east.
Although the plant stays operational, the Court ordered the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the plant operator to address foul odour concerns affecting nearby residents. They were instructed to implement immediate measures to prevent the spread of the odour.
A group of local residents had earlier petitioned the NGT, raising concerns about pollution and the plant’s proximity to residential areas, claiming it violated their right to a clean environment. The NGT had responded by ordering the plant’s closure in 2020, citing its violation of environmental rules and the site’s original designation for a biodiversity park. However, the Supreme Court found that the plant complied with older regulations and clarified that the 2016 waste management rules were not retroactively applicable to the facility.
The Court further debunked claims regarding land use, stating the plot had always been reserved for the plant, with only adjacent land marked for a biodiversity park.
In a significant ruling, the Court highlighted the necessity of decentralized waste processing and rejected the argument that the plant shouldn’t operate near residential areas, labeling it as a “Not In My Backyard” approach. The PMC and the operator were directed to follow several recommendations, including installing odour control systems and enhancing plant design to reduce corrosion and breakdowns.
Additionally, the Court mandated the construction of bitumen roads for cleaner waste transfer, as well as the creation of a green buffer around the plant, recommending the state government plant Miyawaki forests nearby to improve the area’s environment. NEERI will conduct environmental audits of the plant every six months, and the PMC and operator must comply with all suggestions from the audits to ensure environmental safety.
