Greater Noida: Perturbed over the orders of Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration for the construction of solid waste management site at Khodna Khurd village in Greater Noida, the residents of village and its neighboring areas met District Magistrate, on Monday, and handed over him their written memorandum requesting not to dump garbage at the newly proposed site as it is against law and authority's master plan.
The residents, in their letter, stated that the newly proposed site has not been selected in accordance with the waste management laws and as per authority's master plan. They also alleged that it will not only cause a civic hell of air, water and ground pollution levels but will also destroy the Surajpur wetland area.
"The newly proposed site for the temporary disposal of solid waste from across the city will aggravate air pollution and will lead to groundwater contamination. The site is just 500 meters from the Surajpur Wetland which attracts thousands of birds every year," said Vikrant Tongad, environmental activist and resident of Khodna Khurd.
The residents further warned the administration to stage a massive protest and said that they will go to any extent if their demands are not met. However the magistrate urged them to come forward and have peaceful discussions and proposed a slew of measures benefitting residents of nearby villages of the newly proposed dumping site.
"We will form a committee to look into the matter. The committee will comprise stakeholders from RWAs, village committees, politicians, media persons among others and discuss from people of the neighboring areas about the alternate site. A package will be provided to residents which will comprise health, education and employment benefits and will ensure that all environment and health concerns among locals are resolved," said Gautam Buddh Nagar district magistrate B N Singh.
The move came after the letter which was sent to the DM from Noida Authority, following directions from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to relocate the landfill site from sector 123 area of Noida. Protesters had raised health and environment concerns over the setting up of a Waste to Energy plant near their residential colonies.
Now similar health and environment concerns have been raised by the residents of Khodna Khurd village and nearby areas after the administration pointed out a new site at their village.