The Supreme Court, on May 16, pulled up the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) for failing to enforce the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, after a fire at the Adampur dumping site continued for five days, starting April 22, 2025.
A bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan was hearing an appeal by BMC against a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order. This order imposed an environmental compensation of ₹1.80 crores on BMC for a fire at the site in 2023 and multiple violations from December 2021 to July 2023.
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The Court observed that untreated solid waste was being dumped at the site. Photographic evidence of the fire’s intensity was submitted. The bench noted:
“It appears that for 4 to 5 days the fire continued. It is pointed out that this is the 9th incident of fire at the same place. All this is due to failure of the appellant to follow and implement Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016.”
Justice Oka also questioned BMC's compliance with the rules, saying:
“Who is appearing for the petitioner? What are you doing? There is a huge fire. You don't comply with 2016 Rules and this huge waste is generated.”
BMC’s counsel argued that the fire was caused by summer heat and was controlled by the municipal fire department. She added that the corporation was taking necessary measures and managing waste in smaller heaps.
The Supreme Court directed BMC to add the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as a respondent and instructed CPCB officers to visit the site and investigate the cause of the fire. The CPCB was asked to submit a report suggesting immediate measures to prevent such incidents, within six weeks.
The Court also ordered BMC to ensure that the fire was fully extinguished and take steps to avoid future incidents. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on July 25, 2024.
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The Court expressed concern for the health of residents near the dumping site. It directed the District Legal Services Authority Secretary to involve para-legal volunteers in assessing any health impacts on locals due to the fire. If any adverse effects are detected, government hospitals must provide proper treatment to affected residents.
Background:
The NGT’s July 31, 2023, order, which BMC is challenging, found multiple violations at the Adampur site. The tribunal highlighted:
- Lack of environmental clearances and fire-safety measures.
- High particulate matter levels during the April 2023 fire.
- Damaged leachate drains, unprocessed waste, and groundwater contamination in nearby villages.
The NGT ordered BMC to pay ₹1.80 crores as environmental compensation for violations between December 2021 and July 2023. It also directed BMC to develop a remediation plan and ensure that reclaimed land is used for forest development, waste processing, and other public purposes.
Case No. – Bhopal Municipal Corporation v. Dr Subhash C. Pandey
Case Title – C.A. No. 6174/2023 Diary No. 39110 / 2023
Advocate Harshvardhan Pandey along with AoR Raghavendra Pratap Singh represented the applicant.
