Telangana HC issues interim orders stalling construction of MSW at Pyaranagar

The project was initiated by the state government and GHMC with an intention to dispose of 25 per cent of MSW generated in GHMC limits, approximately 2,000 tonnes per day, at the Pyaranagar facility. In fact, the civic body had started the ground work. This facility was proposed because the only dump yard at Jawahar Nagar had reached its saturation period.

However, the High Court stalled construction of the plant due to ‘violation of rules and various provisions’ in setting up the MSW plants. It allowed laying of roads to the project site.

Justice K. Lakshman was dealing with a petition filed by A. Swarnalatha, who complained that the government machinery did not obtain several permissions and no steps were taken to stop the surrounding areas from becoming victims of heavy pollution by the proposed dump yard.

Kailash Nath P.S.S., counsel for the petitioner argued that Pyaranagar village is located within 15 km of the Dundigal air base. He alleged that the authorities had not obtained the necessary environmental clearances and had not conducted an environmental impact assessment (EIA) before proceeding with the project. He further emphasized that the wing commander of the air base had raised objections, citing potential environmental hazards.

Additionally, the petitioner contended that the project could lead to air and water pollution as the site is adjacent to the Nallavally reserve forest. He also referred to a previous ruling by a division bench of the High Court, which explicitly stated that solid waste cannot be dumped outside the GHMC limits and Pyaranagar village falls outside these limits.

The petitioner also raised concern over the odour control system in the compost plants and steps were being taken to trap the gases produced from the sanitary landfill. The locals also pointed out about overflow of leachate to the downstream lakes, which is a deadly threat to fish.

The advocate general A. Sudarshan Reddy, representing the state government, argued that the proposed facility is designed to separate waste and produce power, biogas, and vermicompost, rather than serve as a landfill. He further submitted that as there was no scope for landfilling, getting an environmental clearance was unnecessary. He further asserted that the objections raised by the air base were unfounded.

However, the court was unsatisfied with the arguments of the government and issued interim stay orders and directed the state as well as GHMC to submit the detailed counter mentioning the necessary permissions and guidelines required for setting up the MSW plant and how many of them had been followed by the government and GHMC.