A Mangaluru-based environmental group, Aranya, Parisara Mathu Havamana Badalavane Sangha, has taken a bold step in the fight against waste mismanagement by filing a plea before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Southern Zone, Chennai.
The plea calls for accountability from the Palakkad railway division and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) over their failure to manage waste generated on railway tracks and highways, a responsibility outlined under India’s Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.The group has raised concerns over the widespread littering on railway tracks and highways, pointing out that both the railway division and NHAI have failed to meet the legal requirements of waste collection, segregation, and disposal in their operational areas. As per these rules, public institutions are obligated to manage the waste they generate, but the group argues that the reality is far from this legal expectation.
The green group has been proactive in its efforts to clean up the waste, having removed a staggering 51 tonnes of trash from the Kuntikana to Nanthoor stretch last year. This waste was cleared in 14 truckloads and disposed of at the Pachanady dumping yard. Such initiatives underline the scale of the issue, as the group continues to push for systemic change, urging authorities to live up to their responsibilities.An RTI reply from NHAI revealed that waste bins had only been placed at toll plazas, and the authority shifted the responsibility of waste management to local civic bodies. Meanwhile, the Palakkad railway division provided details of waste management within stations but did not address the problem of waste accumulating along the tracks. This lack of comprehensive action has prompted the environmental group to seek legal intervention.
The NGT has accepted the case, and the tribunal has directed the group to engage with local bodies along the highway to discuss solutions. The next hearing is scheduled for July 14, 2025, marking an important step in what could be a landmark case for waste management accountability in India.The case highlights a growing concern about the state of India’s public spaces, where waste management is often sidelined in the rush to build and expand infrastructure. As the country strives for sustainability, such cases underscore the need for a more systematic approach to waste management, especially by public institutions responsible for large-scale operations.
This case comes at a critical time when India is pushing for cleaner cities, zero plastic waste, and greener infrastructure. It raises a crucial question: How can we continue to promote urbanisation and infrastructure growth without ensuring that waste management systems are in place to keep pace? The actions of NHAI and the railways will be closely scrutinised as this case unfolds, with environmentalists and the public alike watching for any signs of reform or continued neglect As the fight for cleaner, greener cities continues, this legal battle may serve as an important turning point for accountability in environmental governance. Only time will tell if the NGT’s ruling will inspire lasting change or if these crucial responsibilities will continue to be ignored.
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