Status report on bio-remediation of Bhalswa, Gazipur and Okhla dumpsites of Delhi in the matter of O.A. No. 519 of 2019 dated 31/01/2020. The report was in pursuance to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order of December 19, 2019.

The report contained minutes of meeting on bio mining process of legacy waste in states with municipalities along with inspection report for legacy waste dumpsites at Ghazipur, Okhla, Bhalswa. CPCB officials inspected dumpsites with reference to bio remediation in Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu during September - October 2019.

During the inspection, many shortcomings in the procedures adopted by different municipal corporations were observed. The municipal corporations were informed to follow CPCB guidelines on disposal of legacy waste specifically with reference to stabilization of waste, proper screening of waste, action plan to include proposed destination for utilization of different fractions, leachate management system and testing of bio-earth.

The CPCB officials inspected Bhalswa, Ghazipur and Okhla dumpsites and noted that waste stabilization through bio-remediation was being practiced only at Okhla dumpsite. Window method had been adopted and bio culture was being sprayed to stabilize the waste. However, fumes were being generated from waste being transferred to trommel, which indicted that stabilization of waste was not complete. In the remaining two sites at Bhalsawa and Ghazipur, no waste stabilization was being done and the legacy waste was just being excavated. No bio culture was used in this process at the two sites. The CPCB said that the screening of waste was not as per the CPCB guidelines in all the three dumpsites.

Note: Report uploaded on March 13, 2020