NGT Slams Punjab Pollution Control Board Over Rs 8.4 Crore Jalandhar Waste Fine

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) for what it described as a non-serious approach to recovering Rs 8.4 crore in environmental compensation from the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation over waste-management violations.

The case concerns the Wariana dump site in Wariana village, where unscientific dumping has created a legacy-waste burden. The PPCB told the tribunal it had imposed Rs 9.3 crore in environmental compensation on the municipal corporation for non-compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules.

However, only Rs 90 lakh has been deposited, leaving Rs 8.4 crore outstanding. The NGT said the PPCB’s response did not disclose any serious attempt to recover the balance, prompting the tribunal to seek stronger enforcement.

The board’s counsel assured the bench that a communication would be sent to the Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner within two weeks for recovery of the unpaid amount as arrears of land revenue. This mechanism gives the compensation a recovery route rather than leaving the penalty pending.

The environmental concerns extend beyond the unpaid compensation. Wariana is estimated to contain around 20 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste, while earlier data placed Jalandhar’s daily waste generation at about 500 tonnes, against treatment of only 120 tonnes. The resulting 380-tonne daily gap has contributed to the accumulation of untreated waste. More recent reports have put generation at 500-600 tonnes daily, underscoring the continuing challenge.

The NGT has therefore ordered the PPCB to conduct a spot inspection to determine the quantity of legacy waste at the site. It has also directed the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation to file a fresh affidavit within four weeks specifying a timeline for clearing the accumulated waste and explaining the gap between daily waste generation and treatment.

The tribunal will hear the matter next on October 28. Its directions make clear that recovering the penalty and establishing a credible, time-bound remediation plan are both essential to addressing Jalandhar’s long-running waste-management crisis.