![\"NGT](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-47529300,imgsize-110164,width-400,height-225,resizemode-75\/47529300.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nNew Delhi:<\/span> National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked MCD to explain how it plans to clear all legacy waste at the Ghazipur landfill by Dec 2027 when fresh untreated waste continues to be added to the dumpsite every day.During a hearing on July 6, MCD told the tribunal that 69 lakh MT of legacy waste exists at the Ghazipur landfill site, and this is likely to be cleared by Dec 2027.The bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad took up MCD\u2019s submission which said east Delhi generates 2,200-2,400 MT of municipal solid waste daily. Of this, 1,200-1,300 MT is processed. This leaves about 1,000-1,100 MT of untreated fresh waste at the landfill every day.The tribunal noted that MCD\u2019s proposed facilities to bridge the treatment gap would also take time to start operations. MCD is banking on a new 2,000 MTPD waste-to-energy plant that is likely to start processing waste in two-and-a-half-years. A 300 MTPD municipal solid waste compressed biogas plant and a 300 TPD biogas facility would also take considerable time to start operations. \u201cThe disclosure shows that till these facilities are operational, the gap in daily generation and treatment will continue to exist and there will be addition to the legacy waste every day in Ghazipur landfill site,\u201d the tribunal said.\u201cTherefore, it needs to be explained on what basis this statement has been made, that by Dec 2027, the entire legacy waste from the Ghazipur landfill site will be cleared,\u201d NGT asked.\u201cIt also needs to be clarified that when there is continuous daily addition to the legacy waste, only by referring to the existing 69 lakh MT of legacy waste, can a statement be made that by Dec 2027, the entire legacy waste from the Ghazipur landfill site will be cleared,\u201d the bench added.The tribunal also asked MCD to clarify the concerns regarding its data on the utilisation of the existing 12 MW waste-to-energy plant. The court commissioner claimed discrepancies between the quantity of municipal solid waste processed on certain days and the corresponding power generation figures. MCD said energy generation depends on the calorific value of waste, but the court commissioner questioned the extent of variation and sought a clarification.The tribunal has also asked MCD to disclose in its next report the status of the broken boundary wall surrounding the landfill site, the concerns relating to leachate management ahead of the monsoon and groundwater quality in the area.The matter will be heard on Sept 22.<\/div>\n