NGT Holds Throwing Garbage From Balconies Punishable

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ruled that throwing garbage from balconies and upper floors of multi-storey buildings is a punishable offence. This decision was made by the NGT's Central Zone Bench in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, during a hearing on a petition related to poor solid waste management in several colonies.

The tribunal described the practice of throwing garbage from balconies as a growing 'garbage-throwing culture' that undermines scientific waste management. The NGT directed the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) to issue notices and impose fines on violators under the applicable rules.

The petition alleged that garbage is strewn across several colonies, including Shyam Nagar, Arjun Nagar, Bajpayee Nagar, Madrasi Colony, and Panchsheel Nagar, and that sewage flows onto roads, drains, and stormwater channels, creating a risk of groundwater contamination.

The tribunal clarified that maintaining cleanliness is not solely the responsibility of the BMC but also of residents and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). The NGT directed the BMC and the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) to submit an action-taken report within three weeks.

During the proceedings, BMC executive engineer RK Trivedi informed the tribunal that residents of multi-storey buildings often throw garbage from windows and balconies, making it difficult for municipal workers to collect waste from upper floors. The MPPCB submitted that RWAs must identify and maintain designated waste collection points within residential complexes so that municipal vehicles can collect garbage efficiently.

The NGT directed the petitioner to constitute a committee of four to five RWA members to create awareness among residents about disposing of waste only at designated collection points. It also warned that if residents fail to follow the prescribed system, the concerned RWA will be responsible for collecting the waste and transporting it to the BMC's designated disposal site.

The BMC has also responded to concerns over sewage discharge, stating that sewage from the affected colonies is being routed to the designated pump house before being pumped to the sewage treatment plant (STP). The sewage network will become fully operational once the remaining construction is finished.

This decision by the NGT is a significant step towards addressing the issue of poor solid waste management in Bhopal. It emphasizes the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining cleanliness and highlights the need for residents and RWAs to work together with the BMC to ensure effective waste management.

The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on September 21, and the BMC and MPPCB are expected to submit their action-taken reports by then. The NGT's decision is likely to have a positive impact on the environment and public health in Bhopal, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible waste disposal practices.

In conclusion, the NGT's ruling on throwing garbage from balconies is a significant development in the efforts to address poor solid waste management in Bhopal. It underscores the need for collective responsibility and emphasizes the importance of working together to maintain cleanliness and protect the environment.