NGT raps MCD over Ghazipur landfill mismanagement, demands immediate action

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a strong rebuke to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) regarding its handling of the Ghazipur landfill, highlighting significant “environmental and operational” issues at the site.

The tribunal’s latest order, issued on 7th March 2025, brings attention to several serious concerns, including the continued expansion of the landfill, the lack of infrastructure to manage waste properly, and the threat posed to public health and the environment.

The Ghazipur landfill, which processes 2,400 to 2,600 metric tonnes (MT) of waste daily, has long been a subject of scrutiny due to its growing size and environmental risks.

According to the Advocate Commissioner’s report submitted on 29th March 2025, the landfill’s height has exceeded 60 meters, surpassing the originally permitted height limit of 40 meters. This unchecked growth is a direct result of the MCD’s failure to adequately process the incoming waste.

Despite the large volume of waste being dumped at the site, the MCD’s Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant is currently processing only a fraction of it, handling approximately 700-1,000 MT per day. The gap between the waste received and waste processed has led to an accumulation of legacy waste, and the MCD has been instructed to submit a detailed plan with a target completion date of 2028 for clearing this backlog.

One of the most concerning findings in the tribunal’s review is the lack of proper leachate management at the site. Leachate, the toxic liquid produced as waste decays, has been leaking into nearby drains and ultimately flowing into the Yamuna River, which raises serious concerns about contamination of both the water supply and surrounding soil. The tribunal has demanded that the MCD take immediate action to prevent further environmental harm and ensure that leachate is properly managed.

The report also reveals discrepancies in the MCD’s claims regarding land reclamation at the site. While the MCD reported that 5 acres of land had been cleared by September 2024, the Advocate Commissioner’s inspection found that trommels (machines used for bio-mining) were still operating on the supposed “reclaimed” land, casting doubt on the MCD’s assertions. The tribunal has asked the MCD to clarify how this area was cleared given the ongoing waste accumulation.

Another significant issue raised by the tribunal is the release of methane gas from the landfill. Although vertical methane vents have been installed, the MCD has not set up a system to capture and safely dispose of the methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The tribunal has called for immediate action to improve methane management to mitigate its environmental impact.

The MCD also reported spreading construction and demolition (C&D) waste across the site to reduce the risk of fire, but the tribunal has raised concerns about the feasibility of this approach. It has asked the MCD to explain how this mixed waste is being processed, whether it is being properly segregated, and if it is being sent for bio-mining or processed in the WTE plant.

Further complicating the situation is the discovery of hazardous substances like chromium, nickel, fluoride, and ammonia in the landfill’s leachate. The tribunal has instructed the MCD to explain how the fly ash generated from this leachate is being tested and handled, especially considering the potential health risks associated with heavy metal contamination.

In its order, the tribunal has given the MCD a six-week deadline to submit a fresh affidavit addressing these concerns and outlining the steps it will take to resolve the ongoing issues at the landfill. These steps should include a comprehensive plan to process the waste, improve environmental safeguards, and upgrade the site’s infrastructure.

The Ghazipur landfill, located in close proximity to critical water sources and densely populated areas, has been a long-standing source of concern for both environmentalists and local residents.

With air quality already compromised due to waste burning, and the risk of groundwater contamination increasing, the tribunal’s intervention comes as a crucial step in holding the MCD accountable for its failure to maintain proper waste management systems.

As Delhi continues to face challenges in managing its growing waste crisis, the NGT’s stringent order highlights the urgent need for more effective, sustainable, and transparent waste management solutions in the city.