Supreme Court Slams Delhi MCD Over Poor Solid Waste Management

The Supreme Court criticized the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for inadequate implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules, citing a public health risk due to untreated waste. Delhi generates over 11,000 tons of solid waste daily while processing capacity is significantly lower. An urgent meeting was ordered for resolutions.

The Supreme Court on Friday criticized the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for what it described as a 'sorry state of affairs' in the national capital’s implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules.

The apex court noted a potential public health emergency, highlighting that more than 3,000 tons of solid waste remain untreated each day in Delhi.

A bench comprising Justice AS Oka and Justice AG Masih observed that the city generates over 11,000 tons of waste daily, but the processing capacity is limited to just 8,073 tons.

'We agree with the amicus curiae that this may lead to a public health emergency,' the bench emphasized. 'This is a sorry state of affairs when it comes to the implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, in the capital city.'

The court directed the secretary of the Union environment ministry to convene a meeting with MCD and Delhi government officials to devise an immediate solution to the crisis.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 6.

The apex court was deliberating on issues related to solid waste disposal in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).