RMC dumping solid waste at Sarona site despite HC order
   Date :08-Jun-2019

Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) has landed in an imbroglio over the transfer of landfill site from Sarona to Sakri as the RMC still continuing to dump solid waste at Sarona despite the High Court ordering to stop the dumping from June 1, 2019.
 
The High Court, in an order issued on May 29, 2019, even refused urgent hearing in the application seeking the 15 days extension for shifting of landfill site and forwarded the case to regular bench. In a previous hearing on April 11, 2019, the High Court had ordered to complete the Solid Waste Management Plant at Sakri by the end of May 2019, and directed that RMC shall not dump any solid waste at Sarona from June 1, 2019.
 
As the aforementioned date passed, a demonstration by Sarona Bachao Sangharsh Samiti broke out on June 2. Samiti members had blocked the road to stop the trucks from dumping the waste at Sarona.Responding to the situation, RMC officials had assured that their application for granting 15 more days for shifting of landfill site from Sarona to Sakri was accepted by the High Court. However, it must be noted that the High Court hadn’t granted them permission to continue dumping the solid waste at Sarona, which is still going on.
 
Meanwhile, taking cognizance of activist Nitin Singhvi’s application, Airport Authority of India (AAI) had written to Special Secretary, Urban Administration and Development, asking clarification on whether the distance of landfill site is less than 10 kms and whether the civic authorities have the requisite clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as cited by the applicant Singhvi. A copy of the letter was also addressed to Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran Chief Executive Officer. AAI has expressed concern that landfill site may pose threat to the flights and birds can encroach around the airport.
 
RMC Executive Engineer Harendra Sahu informed that the High Court had accepted their application, seeking extension in last date for shifting of landfill site to Sakri. However, acceptance of application doesn’t mean the High Court had granted RMC the permission to continue dumping waste at Sarona as the previous Order dated April 11, 2019 still stood effective. RMC officials also informed that the Civil Aviation Department has granted clearance for the Solid Waste Management Plant (SWMP), saying the Gram Sakri Raipur is more than 10 km from the Airport. No-Objection Certificate is not required from this office. The Municipal Corporation Raipur (MCR) and APD Raipur Airport to take adequate measure to prevent attraction of birds and animals as per SOP submitted for disposal of solid waste to avoid any bird’s activities within radius of 10 km. The MCR Raipur to adhere to the SOP strictly to prevent attraction of birds and animals and suggestions issued from time to time by AAI CGQ may be incorporated in the SOP.
However, the RMC still hasn’t shown the clearance letter for the Landfill site.