The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slammed the Coimbatore Corporation's waste management as 'deficient' following a CPCB report that revealed dysfunctional plants and toxic groundwater.
- Coimbatore generates 1,293 tonnes of solid waste daily with insufficient processing.
- 17 borewells around the Vellalore site were found unfit for human consumption.
- Only 10 out of 36 Micro Composting Centres are currently operational.
- 89 lakh tonnes of legacy waste remain untreated at the Vellalore site.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone, has observed that the entire solid waste management system of the Coimbatore Corporation—encompassing both fresh and legacy waste—is severely inadequate. This critical finding comes after the Tribunal reviewed a technical report submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), conducted in coordination with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).
The proceedings were triggered by a petition filed by K.S. Mohan and subsequent suo motu actions following a devastating fire at the Vellalore dumpyard in April 2024. The CPCB report highlights a stark disconnect between the Corporation's claims and the ground reality. While the Corporation reports a source segregation rate of 91%-95%, the actual processing efficiency remains abysmal.
Operational Failures in Processing
A detailed inspection of 36 Micro Composting Centres revealed that only 10 were functional. These operational units were processing only 32.2-36 tonnes per day against a design capacity of 47 tonnes, resulting in a processing efficiency of just 14.7%. Similarly, the Windrow Composting Plant suffered from a 73% shortfall in required area, with an efficiency rate plummeting below 12%.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this is a systemic failure of urban governance. When a major industrial hub like Coimbatore fails to manage its waste, it transitions from a logistical problem to a public health crisis. The stagnation of leachate and frequent dumpyard fires indicate a lack of scientific oversight, turning the city's waste management into an environmental liability rather than a utility.
"The gap between reported segregation rates and actual processing efficiency is a red flag for urban environmental auditing."
The environmental degradation extends beneath the surface. Groundwater samples from 17 borewells around the Vellalore site showed levels of TDS, chloride, BOD, copper, and nickel that far exceed safe drinking water standards. Consequently, all 17 sources were declared unfit for drinking, indicating heavy metal leaching into the aquifer.
| Metric | Claimed/Design Capacity | Actual Status |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Waste Generation | 1,293 Tonnes | Processing Gap Exists |
| Micro Composting Centres | 36 Units | 10 Functional |
| Processing Efficiency | High (Claimed) | 12% - 14.7% |
| Groundwater Safety | Potable Standard | 17/17 Unfit |
Furthermore, the Tribunal noted that nearly 89 lakh tonnes of legacy waste spread over 25 acres at Vellalore are yet to be bio-mined. The NGT expressed doubt over the Corporation's proposal to complete Phase II bio-mining by October 2026, citing insufficient existing capacity. The Corporation Commissioner has been ordered to submit a time-bound action plan and explain the causes of the August 23 fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the current state of the Vellalore dumpyard?
The site contains 89 lakh tonnes of legacy waste, lacks proper TNPCB authorization for operation, and has caused severe groundwater contamination.
The NGT has demanded a comprehensive report on action taken based on CPCB findings and a detailed explanation for the recent dumpyard fire.
