In response to a petition filed by social activitsts Er. Kapil Arora and Kuldeep Singh Khaira, members of the Public Action Committee, regarding the improper disposal of garbage in Village Gill's pond and various open sites, the Honorable National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana to submit an action taken report on the next scheduled date.

Er. Kapil Arora highlighted concerns about the non-compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, including improper garbage handling and instances of organic waste burning at public parks and DC offices. Additionally, issues regarding the non-utilization of numerous E-rickshaws and the lack of action to process garbage at Giaspura and the Old Dump site at Hambran Road were raised.

The NGT formed a committee comprising of DM, MC, and PPCB, which Er. Kapil Arora accused of submitting misleading reports to the tribunal. After submitting objections along with photographic evidence, the NGT issued notices to the respondents, including the State of Punjab, Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, and Municipal Commissioner, on 04.01.24.

Kuldeep Singh Khaira highlighted that the Deputy Commissioner's reply, submitted on the date of the hearing, violated the tribunal's circular. The Deputy Advocate General (DAG) representing the State of Punjab assured future compliance with circulars regarding timely submission of reports.

According to the Deputy Commissioner's reply, based on information from various state departments, waste from the Giaspura dumpsite will be relocated to the Jamalpur Site by 30-06-24, and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for bioremediation of legacy waste at Jainpur, Hambran Road, is under preparation.

Given that the reply was based on proposed future actions, the tribunal directed the DC Ludhiana to submit a fresh action taken report regarding all dumping sites at least one week before the next hearing scheduled for 14th May 2024

National Green Tribunal NGT MC Garbage Problem