Regulatory compliance is essential for future establishment of waste management facilities to prevent environmental harm.

ORDER

1. Case called out. No one is present for the Applicants, although notice was issued to him on 04.04.2024.

2. Affidavit dated 01.02.2025 has been filed by the Respondent No.2, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board; the same is taken on record.

(Final order of the said case will be uploaded in the NGT website by separate sheets of paper).

ORDER

1. The Original Application No.205/2024/PB was registered by the New Delhi Bench of the National Green Tribunal on a letter petition received through e-mail sent by one Mr. Khalid Ansari and others. The Applicant is aggrieved by the establishment of proposed setting up of the Plastic Waste Segregation Centre near the two rivers which is also alleged to be very close to a residential area.

2. It is alleged that the said Centre is close to a river/water body originating in a nearby hill which flows for about eight months in the year and empties into an old reservoir. It is stated that if the Segregation Centre is allowed to function it would release environmental pollutants and chemicals as well as infection material which will pollute the two water bodies situated in close proximity to the said Segregation Centre.

3. It is also alleged that if the Plastic Waste Segregation Centre is allowed to be established at the site in question it would result in movement of heavy vehicles and machinery creating considerable sound pollution. The apprehension of the Applicant also is that the said Segregation Centre would release foul smell in the area polluting the entire atmosphere causing great discomfort to the residents in the area.

4. The New Delhi Bench of the Tribunal also constituted a fact finding Committee comprising of; representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board and the District Magistrate, Ranchi, which was required to visit the site in question and submit its Report.

5. Thereafter, by an order dated 02.05.2024 the Original Application No.205/2024/PB was transferred to the Eastern Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal at Kolkata and has been re-numbered as Original Application No.123/2024/EZ.

6. The Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, Respondent No.2, has filed affidavit dated 01.02.2025 bringing on record the Joint Committee Report of an inspection carried out on 28.01.2025. The Joint Committee Report reads as under:-

“REPORT OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE In compliance with the order dated 02/05/2024 of the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench (PB), New Delhi And Order dated 04/07/2024, 17/10/2024 and 20/11/2024 of the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata, In O.A. No.123/2024/EZ (Earlier O.A. No.205/2024/pb)

In the matter of Khalid Ansari & ors.

Versus State of Jharkhand and Ors.

January, 2024 1. Introduction

1.1 With reference to the letter petition sent by Mr. Khalid Ansari and others via email to the Hon'ble Tribunal, which has been treated and registered as O.A. No.205/2024 (Presently O. A. No. 123/2024/EZ) the Hon'ble National Green Tribunal, PrincipalBench, New Delhi had passed an order dated 02/05/2024 (Copy of theorder dated 02/05/2024 passed by the Hon'ble NGT, PB, New Delhi in the present matter is attached as Annexure — `A'. The matter is related to plastic waste segregation centre near residential area and two big lakes and also transferring of the facility at safe distance from residential area in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

1.2 Direction of the Hon'ble NGT, PB vide order dated

02/05/2024 The Hon'ble NGT, PB, New Delhi vide its order dated 02/05/2024 in O. A. No. 205/2024 in the matter of Khalid Ansari and Ors. Versus State of Jharkhand and Ors. has registered the Original Application on the basis of the letter petit