Noida Authority To Remove Landfill Site From Sector 54

The Noida Authority is now complying with the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) orders to remove a landfill site from Sector 54. It was on May 29 when the NGT ordered the authority to stop using the site and remove the dumping yard location from the area and shift to an alternative site in Sector 123 instead of the waste-to-energy plant adjoining the Hindon river in the same area. The authority has started processing the waste into refuse-derived fuel at Sector 54 unit and would use remediation plant for the purpose. 

Earlier, thousands of residents, including villagers and society dwellers, were protesting against the dumping ground in Sector 123 stating that the landfill site will adversely impact the lives of over 20,000 families living in the vicinity. However, as the protest gained up the stance, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister directed the authority to identify another site for ground fill for disposal of waste. 

It was in November 2017 when NGT ordered Noida authority to use Sector 123 dumping ground instead of Sector 137. But in December, after facing protests from the residents of Sector 123, the Noida Authority had shifted its landfill site to Sector 54, a green buffer zone that can mask the odour generated. However, the residents of nearby areas were opposing this decision on the ground that the site is causing health issues in the neighbourhood.

What does Municipal Solid Waste rules suggest?

According to MSW rules, the landfill site should be 100 metre (m) away from the river and 200 m from highways, habitation and public parks. Also, a buffer zone should be maintained around solid waste processing and disposal facility, exceeding five tonnes per day of installed capacity. The Sector 123-dumping yard is currently 13 acre facility and will be sufficient only if there is regular waste management to reduce the burden on landfill. The site is around 300 m away from the riverbed and shares its boundary with FNG Vihar. Around 121 housing complexes are less than 180 meters away from the site.

How will the new waste plant impact Sector 123?

As the authority is already planning to build a 25-acre energy plant in the area, the prospects of this area might get hampered. The adjoining areas of Sector 123 are buzzing real estate hubs. More than 10 projects here are under different phases of construction while others are ready for possession. Most of the projects here in the affordable price range with 1BHK units starting at as low as Rs 22 lakh. But, the solid waste treatment plant (STP) and a landfill site keep prospective homebuyers at bay. Though the STP is a part of the master plan, the local residents have been voicing out their protest as the population in the nearby areas is on a rise and the dumping ground is becoming a health threat. The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) has also come out in the support of the homebuyers and has said that the project would be impacting around 30,000 flats that oversee the dumping ground. 

While a series of apartments in Sector 122 directly face the garbage dump at the fork of Gaur Chowk, it is also in the vicinity of a series of Noida Extension flats. The nearby apartments in Noida Extension are Gaur City, Exotica Dreamville, Palm Olympia, Gaur City 2, Gaur’s 14th Avenue, Gaur City Club and Saya and Aarza Square 2. All of these have their main entrances facing the dumpyard. The balconies of these projects face the 25-acre plot which is being excavated. All these apartments are also in the wind direction from the spot.

Earlier, the NGT barred the Noida Authority from dumping waste in a vacant industrial plot at Sector 137-138A. The illegal dumping of waste posed health risks to over half a dozen housing complexes around the plot, trucks and trailers have continued to make sorties to dump waste at the site.

Why was Sector 137 landfill site a concern?

Once identified as a lake and part of a biodiversity park, the land has been used as a dumping site for construction waste and garbage collected from all over the city. Initially, the plan was to transfer the solid wastes to Astoli, a garbage recycling spot 50 kilometres from the area. However, the plan remains unexecuted. According to an estimate, over 700 metric tonne of waste is generated by Noida alone.

How landfill site impacted the property market?

Residents staying at Noida's Sector 137 have faced tough days due to the stench from the dumping yard located close to some of the housing societies. Homeowners here have been complaining that they can't keep the windows and balconies open as the stink emanating from the area is unbearable. The problem has been persisting for past two years, and with heavy rains recently, the site has become a breeding site for flies and mosquitoes. Recently, hundreds of local residents have protested against the Noida Authority to stop dumping the waste here.

Also, the residents have collectively said that the dumping ground was not mentioned in the masterplan when they booked their flat here.