As millions of devotees prepare to gather in Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh’s major bathing ritual on January 29, concerns over waste management have taken center stage. The National Green Tribunal (NGT), during a recent hearing on January 20, sharply criticized the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation’s claims of having resolved decades-old legacy waste issues.
The hearing, led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava, focused on the corporation’s assertion that it had disposed of 14 lakh tonnes of legacy waste in just six months. Justice Srivastava expressed disbelief, stating, “Six months ago, I personally saw piles of millions of tonnes of waste in Prayagraj. Where has it suddenly gone?”
The tribunal pressed for details about how such a massive quantity of waste was managed in such a short time. It raised the question of why similar methods were not being applied to clear longstanding waste issues in cities like Delhi, which struggles with 3,000 metric tonnes of daily waste.
During the proceedings, the municipal lawyer promised to provide an affidavit clarifying the situation. However, the bench noted the vague nature of the corporation’s earlier submissions. “The actual population of Prayagraj has not been provided, nor has there been any clear explanation of how much waste is generated daily and where it is being treated or disposed of,” the bench observed.
The corporation claimed that the legacy waste had been treated and handed over to cement companies for reuse. When the tribunal asked for the names of these companies, the municipal officials were unable to provide any specifics, further raising doubts about the validity of their claims.
Justice Srivastava also pointed out that waste is still being extracted daily from the banks of the Ganges, questioning the lack of records and the transparency of the process. “There are nearly 40 lakh permanent residents living across 4,000 hectares of waste-laden land. How has the situation changed so drastically without a clear system in place?” he asked.
The NGT’s dissatisfaction with Prayagraj’s waste management strategies comes at a crucial time for the city, which is under immense pressure to handle the influx of devotees while maintaining sanitation and environmental standards.
The court warned that if satisfactory answers are not provided at the next hearing, drastic measures, including halting new construction projects, could be considered. As Prayagraj prepares for the upcoming bathing ritual, the city’s ability to manage waste efficiently and sustainably remains under intense scrutiny.
