As millions prepare for a major bathing ritual at the MahaKumbh Mela in Prayagraj, questions arise about the city's waste management practices. During a recent hearing on January 20th, 2025, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) expressed concern about the sudden disappearance of 1,400,000 tonnes of legacy waste and demanded clarification from the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC).
The NGT bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava, criticised the PMC for its inadequate responses regarding waste management. "Six months ago, I personally witnessed piles of millions of tonnes of waste in Prayagraj," Justice Srivastava remarked. "Where has it suddenly gone?"
The bench questioned the PMC's claim of disposing of 1.4 million tonnes of legacy waste in just six months. "If this is true, explain how such a massive amount was managed in such a short time," the bench demanded. "Why not apply this method to clean up the waste in Delhi, which has persisted for years?"
The PMC's lawyer assured the bench that they would provide a detailed affidavit addressing these questions in the next hearing.
The Vague Responses from PMC
The NGT bench raised further concerns about the lack of clarity in the PMC's waste management reporting. "Nearly 40 lakh permanent residents live on 4,000 hectares of this waste-laden land," the bench observed. "Waste is still being extracted from the banks of the Ganges daily – where are the records? We need information on the actual population of Prayagraj, the daily waste generation, and its disposal after treatment."
The PMC stated that the legacy waste was treated and given to cement companies, but they were unable to provide specific names when questioned by the bench. The NGT expressed dissatisfaction with the vague responses and requested detailed clarification at the next hearing.
The NGT has explicitly requested the following information from the PMC for the next hearing:
Detailed explanation of how 1.4 million tonnes of legacy waste were disposed of in six months
Names of the cement companies that received the treated waste
Accurate data on Prayagraj's population
Comprehensive records of daily waste generation and its disposal
This scrutiny from the NGT highlights the importance of responsible waste management, especially during events like the Mahakumbh Mela which attracts a huge floating population in the form of devotees and pilgrims. The upcoming hearing will be important in determining the PMC's accountability.
