Delhi HC orders acquiring of sites for landfill

New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Friday, directing the state land and building department (LBD) to start acquiring seven sites identified to dump the city's daily garbage, also sought a status report detailing steps taken in this regard.

Justice G.S. Sistani told the LBD that the court appointed committee has identified seven landfill sites and it should begin the process of acquiring these sites.

Expressing strong displeasure at years of delay in identification and acquisition process because of various roadblocks, the court asked government to expedite the process.

The court said: "The court appointed committee has identified various probable sites, but unfortunately, there is not a single site which can be handed over for the purpose of disposal of waste."

"Either the site is required to be acquired or they are under dispute or the land use of the site need to be changed. Some sites are on the O-zone," it added.

"The end result is despite the exercise having taken place, the position remain unchanged. No possession of landfill sites can be handed over to MCD," Justice Sistani said adding: "The court is not happy with the final result of the exercise."

"It is deemed appropriate that direction is issued at each site so that accountability can be fixed and the action required for handling over the site cane be fast tracked," it said.

The court had earlier appointed a committee comprising of senior officer each of the Delhi Development Authority, LBD, ministry of environment and forest, Delhi government and the central government to identify landfill sites and to bring out a blue print for future for garbage disposal in the city.

It identified 31 sites by carrying out joint inspections by officials of DDA, municipal corporations, and the revenue and forest departments.

Senior counsel Maninder Acharya and advocate Sumeet Pusharrna, appearing for MCD, said the sites found suitable dumping the garbage should be initiated, processed and completed by DDA in a time-bound manner.

Few of the seven sites identified for dumping the garbage are near Madanpur Khader, 50 acres, near Sonia Vihar, 50 acres, near Puthkhurd, behind APMC Compost plant on G.T. Karnal road, 27.5 acres, Palla and Haryana border, 62.5 acres, village Sadpur and Zizampur,100 acres.