Against the start of dumping by the Noida Authority, residents of high rise and independent houses of nearby sectors protested and blocked the road at Parthala Chowk which is located near the dump yard.
Despite the stern opposition and continuous protests, the Noida Authority has started dumping waste at the disputed landfill in Sector-123. Apart from this, the Authority continued to dump the waste at Sector-54 irrespective of the National Green Tribunal’s interim order to stop dumping activities there.
The residents had filed contempt of court case against the Noida Authority at the NGT for continuing with dumping at Sector-54. This has prompted the Authority to stop dumping there as the NGT has also issued contempt of court notice against them on Thursday. Now, the hearing will be done on July 19.
On May 29, the NGT issued an interim order and directed the Noida authority to immediately stop dumping of waste at a forest located in Sector 54 in response to a petition filed by RWAs of various sectors of the city.
Rajesh Singh, Officer on Special Duty of Noida Authority told City Spidey that they always follow the NGT order and rules. “The contempt of court case filed by the residents is not the reason behind the start of dumping at Sector-123. We already had plans to start dumping at Sector-123.”
"Around 70 trucks of waste were dumped at the site on Thursday and soon we will install the remediation plant to treat the garbage,” Singh added.
Against the start of dumping by the Noida Authority, residents of high rise and independent houses of nearby sectors protested and blocked the road at Parthala Chowk which is located near the dump yard.
During the protest, the residents raised the slogans against the Noida Authority, local MLA Pankaj Singh and union minister Dr Mahesh Sharma. Residents said that they didn't turn up to support us and they only come when they need votes from us.
Anupam Oberoi, a resident of Sector-122, said that they will continue with their protests and also make a chain to stop the trucks of garbage on Friday. “How the Noida Authority started this dumping when more than 5 lakh people are living in the area. They did not think about the health of the people,” Oberoi said.
Residents have also said that they will soon approach the NGT or the high court against this dumping. “At present, there are some hurdles in moving NGT. We are still preparing the documents and evidences for the case. Also, there is the summer vacation at the court. But, we will soon apply for the stay in NGT,” a resident Abhay Pandey said.
On the other hand, residents of Noida Extension including high rises like Gaur City, Panchsheel Greens and other few societies are also planning to move to court against this dumping. “In future, it can become dangerous just like the Ghazipur landfill site. We will not let the Authority set up a landfill in this area at any cost,” residents said.
"According to the solid waste management rules, 2016, a landfill site should be situated at a distance of 100 meters from a riverbed, and 200 meters from water bodies, highways, habitations, public parks and water supply wells. However, the dumping site is located at a distance of no more than 175 meters from our society," Pandey further added.
