Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Subrata Debnath Vs State of Tripura & Others dated 15/05/2025.

The matter related to a dumping ground of Agartala Municipal Corporation under the name of ‘Waste Processing Center’ with the object of processing waste materials and garbage of the city of Agartala. The complaint was that the that the siting area of the dumping ground is wrong as it is very close to the residential area, a government primary school and open agricultural lands of the locality. The dumping site is adjacent to an Indian Oil gas bottling plant.

It was also alleged that garbage is being burnt in the open causing severe air pollution thereby making it hazardous to the life of the local residents. Smoke, stench and obnoxious odour also emanates from the dumping ground located at Debendra Chandra Nagar.It was also alleged that the Municipal Solid Waste Management and Handling Rules 2000, and other environmental laws as well as Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, have not been complied with.

The photographs which have been filed in support of the application presented a dismal picture of the entire landscape caused solely due to the untreated municipal solid waste. The application was decided and disposed of by the tribunal vide order February, 9, 2023. The court in that order said that in the reports no timelines have been given for completion of bio-mining/bio-remediation of the legacy waste at Debendra Chandra Nagar dumpsite. The court had directed the Agartala Municipal Corporation to file a status report/affidavit of compliance in the matter by December 31, 2024. The court had also directed the Tripura State Pollution Control Board to ensure that the waste processing plant is activated and made functional for processing of solid waste at Debendra Chandra Nagar and the information should also be covered in the status report/compliance affidavit with completion timelines.

Agartala Municipal Corporation and Tripura State Pollution Control Board have filed their reports. The case would be listed for disposal on July 31, 2025.