NGT directs Delhi government to pay Rs 2,232-crore fine for improper management of solid and liquid waste

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel said there were gaps in the management of solid and liquid waste in the national capital

Rapping the Delhi Government for improper handling of solid and liquid waste, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi government to pay Rs 2,232 crore as environmental compensation.

The Principal Bench of the NGT headed by its chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said "On the pattern of compensation awarded in respect of other states (at the rate of Rs 2 crore per million litres per day (MLD) of untreated sewage and Rs 300 per tonne of untreated legacy waste), compensation of Rs 3,132 crore is liable to be levied on the Delhi government -- Rs 990 crore for solid waste and Rs 2,142 crore for liquid waste."

Deducting the compensation for solid waste already levied (Rs 900 crore), the remaining amount of Rs 2,232 crore has to be paid by the city government on the "polluter pays" principle, the bench said.

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Pointing out that there were gaps in the management of solid and liquid waste in the national capital., the Green Bench said that the amount has to be used for tackling the "emergent situation prevailing in Delhi, posing danger to the safety of the citizens," and for remedying the continuing damage to the environment.

The NGT had, in October last year, directed the Delhi government to pay Rs 900 crore as environmental compensation, following which the authorities concerned had filed a review petition.