The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has disposed of an application filed by environmental activist Rohit Manohar Joshi against the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and the State Environment Department regarding the improper disposal of solid waste from ponds following the immersion of eco-friendly Ganesh idols. The tribunal directed the civic body to establish a dedicated landfill site for the waste within three months.

The NGT’s order came after it noted that TMC had failed to provide a clear timeline for setting up such a facility. Additionally, the tribunal instructed the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to process and finalize the Environmental Clearance (EC) for the facility within two months. Once the facility is operational, TMC must submit a compliance report to the NGT Registry as well as to the applicant.

Joshi had originally filed a petition before the NGT on October 14, 2024, seeking the execution of a previous tribunal order dated September 26, 2023. The order had questioned whether TMC intended to dump idol immersion waste into Mumbra Creek or Thane Creek. In response, the civic body assured that no such disposal would take place and that all waste would be managed per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Revised Guidelines for Idol Immersion, 2020.

However, the NGT found that while TMC had identified government land in Village Aatkoli, Bhiwandi, for the landfill and had received possession of the site from the Collector, Thane, in April 2024, it had not provided a timeline for when the facility would become operational. The MPCB informed the tribunal that once the TMC obtains EC approval, the necessary permits for establishing and operating the landfill will be granted.

The MPCB had previously flagged several violations by TMC regarding idol immersion waste disposal. In its reply, the MPCB cited an order issued to the civic body on November 10, 2023, outlining multiple non-compliances, including, 1-Wastewater from artificial ponds exceeding turbidity limits set by BIS standards for drinking water (IS 10500:2012). 2-Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in wastewater falling below 3 mg/L, requiring treatment to meet Class SW-II standards under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986. 3- Failure to dispose of solid waste from artificial ponds at an authorized sanitary landfill as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. 4- Failure to process biodegradable waste from idol immersions at a scientific facility. 5- Insufficient number of artificial ponds at creek fronts.

Given these lapses, the NGT directed TMC to set up the landfill within three months and submit a compliance report. It also mandated that SEIAA must process the EC application within two months. Furthermore, the tribunal directed the MPCB to ensure that TMC strictly adheres to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and CPCB’s Revised Guidelines for Idol Immersion, 2020, to prevent further violations.