Maharashtra: For damaging the environment, Rs 184-cr fine for Virar civic body

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), on the direction of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), has levied a fine of Rs 184 crore on Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) for adversely affecting the environment. The civic body has done nothing to dispose of tonnes of legacy waste lying unattended since 2013.

Above all, there is no sewage treatment plant (STP) in the Vasai-Virar area and sewage generated in Virar and Nalasopara City is discharged in the Vaitarna creek whereas sewage generated from Vasai and part of Nalasopara City is discharged in the Vasai creek, said an environmental activist, Charan Bhatt, who had approached NGT in 2021.

"The VVCMC has been only collecting solid waste and dumping it at Gokhiware, Vasai. Tonnes of solid waste are piling up every day but civic officials are doing nothing to dispose of it. The residents of Sativali, Valiv, Gokhiware, Evershine and other localities within a five-km radius of this dumping ground are facing health issues such as asthma, skin disease, TB and other lung-related issues because of the release of hazardous gases like methane and sulphur from the dumping ground," Bhatt told mid-day.

"I had made several complaints to the environment department and VVCMC but they did not act. So, in 2021, I approached NGT and filed an original application (petition)," he added. The application was filed with prayers that a direction be issued to the VVCMC to install STPs and restrain itself from making any developmental activities and constructions till the required STPs are installed.

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The VVCMC has informed the NGT that they have reserved 12 locations to install STPs. "Only the areas have been identified, as only one STP at Bolinj has been installed in the VVCMC area," alleged Bhatt.

Sewage discharged into sea

"The untreated sewage is discharged into different drains/nullahs across the city which meet either with the Arabian Sea through Vasai creek, Vaitarna river or directly to the Arabian Sea. The treatment at STPs is also not proper as the STP outlet at Bolinj is not meeting the prescribed standards," alleged Bhatt, adding, "The discharge of wastewater into water bodies in the VVCMC's jurisdiction is polluting the environment."

A pit created to collect the leachate from solid waste at the dumping ground

Around 650 metric tonnes of solid waste is collected every day in Vasai-Virar and Nalasopara. The VVCMC installed two trommel machines to process fresh waste, but both have been lying defunct for months at Gokhiware. A civic source at the dumping ground told mid-day that the fresh waste cannot be processed in the monsoon season.

Meanwhile, Bhatt alleged that the VVCMC officials have created huge pits at the dumping ground to collect the leachate from the heap of solid waste. "Instead of clearing the unattended legacy waste, the VVCMC officials have dug huge pits to collect the leachate from solid waste. This further pollutes the environment," he added. "I had to approach the NGT because the VVCMC has zero policy for protecting the environment," he added.

Civic official speaks

When contacted, Dr Charushila Pandit, deputy municipal commissioner, said, "The municipal corporation has estimated that there is a total of 15 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste lying Gokhiware dumping ground and every day 650 metric tonnes of fresh garbage are generated within the jurisdiction of the VVCMC. No process has been carried out to dispose of the solid waste since 2013. Now, a Pimpri-based company, Sai Ganesh, has been given the tender to dispose of the legacy waste, and we assume that it will be done in the next two years."

NGT order ignored

The defunct trommel machines at Gokhiware

Taking note of the dumping and sewage issues, on May 3, the NGT passed an order stating the ‘amount of environmental compensation would also be calculated by the MPCB from January 27, 2022 till date'. "We direct the MPCB to conclude this process within a period of one month and direct VVCMC to deposit the said amount within a period of one month thereafter. The amount so realised shall be utilised for the improvement of the environment in the local area," reads the order.

"If the amount, so calculated to be levied, is not paid, coercive steps would be taken against the Project Proponent including the prosecution of the officers," it further reads. When contacted, Sub-Regional Officer Ashok Katole said, "We have calculated the compensation of R184 crore and informed the VVCMC to pay the environment department. The court has also been apprised of the matter. But, the civic body is yet to make any payment."

2021
Year activist approached NGT