Ghaziabad: The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) slapped the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation with a fine of Rs 4.57 crore for dumping more than 61,000 metric tonnes at two locations inside a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Madhuban Bapudham. As per the UPPCB, this illegal dumping has been continuing for more than two years. The board submitted its report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on March 30, and the order was issued after the site inspection took place on February 21.
However, Ghaziabad municipal commissioner Vikramaditya Malik claimed the penalty is harsh. He went on to say that dumping took place temporarily when the Delhi-Meerut Road was closed due to the 2024 Kanwar Yatra. In this situation garbage trucks could not reach the site to pick up the garbage. He further added the garbage clearance process is going on. The civic body of Ghaziabad has been planning to challenge the imposing fine.
The case started when Madhuban Bapudham Welfare Society filed a complaint. The municipal body, in its reply to NGT in December 2024, made it clear that dumping took place due to the closure of the road caused by the Kanwar Yatra. The body further added that about 29,287 metric tonnes were later moved to the Bhikhanpur waste facility, while around 31,713 tonnes remained at the site.
The pollution board’s team in its report said that one dumping area was totally cleaned and 300 plants and 500 shrubs were planted. The second area has not been cleaned up; cleaning and greenery work are required.
During a hearing on April 2, the NGT approved the board’s report, but the petitioner’s lawyer did not agree with the findings and sought two weeks to submit their objections.
