NGT warns Coimbatore Corporation to prepare alternate sites for Vellalore dumpyard in case of unsatisfactory progress

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone has warned the Coimbatore Corporation to be ready to divert freshly generated waste to other legally approved sites if progress in clearing the Vellalore dumpyard remains unsatisfactory.

During a recent hearing of the NGT’s suo motu case concerning the Vellalore dumpyard, which was initiated after a fire broke out at the site in April 2024, the bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Dr. Prashant Gargava, expressed concern over the continuing accumulation of waste.

The Tribunal noted that the contractor responsible for processing the legacy waste is falling behind schedule and observed that the Corporation had only penalised the contractor without taking steps to expedite the process.

The NGT emphasised that the Commissioner must ensure readiness to shift waste on a daily basis to prevent further delays and to promote decentralised waste processing in the city.

The NGT has also mandated that the ongoing Phase II of bio-mining at Vellalore process 1,200 tonnes per day, with the capacity to be enhanced to 1,800 tonnes per day, so that the project is completed by October 2026. The Corporation has been instructed to explore renting additional machinery to meet these targets.

The Tribunal further reiterated earlier directions from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which include achieving 100% segregation of waste at source, enhancing treatment capacity, ensuring proper authorisation for all facilities, clearing Refuse-Derived Fuel and compost stored at the site by sending them to cement industries and fertilizer units, and upgrading the leachate treatment plant along with constructing garland drains to prevent groundwater contamination. The NGT stressed that fresh waste should not continue to accumulate at Vellalore once compliance measures are in place.

The Tribunal directed the Corporation to submit month-wise progress reports for September, October, and November 2025, along with a comprehensive action plan outlining clear timelines. The next hearing has been scheduled for January 12, 2026.