Thousands of Delhi rural residents breathed a sigh of relief as the High Court banned waste dumping in unauthorized colonies, terming it unlawful. The February 5 order addresses years of complaints about truckloads of garbage overwhelming villages and slums.
Saurabh Bharadwaj, AAP’s Delhi chief, called it a humiliating defeat for the government, which he accused of partnering with MCD to poison poor neighborhoods. During his January 27 inspection of Sharma Colony in Kirari, he witnessed DDA plots turned into toxic dumps from Bhalswa waste.
Garbage mounds reaching four feet have blocked roads, caused chronic waterlogging, and released pollutants contaminating groundwater. Toxic tube well water threatens future epidemics, with plastics slowly destroying the ecosystem.
AAP’s sustained advocacy, including opposition to landfill expansions, culminated in this judicial win. Bharadwaj urged immediate compliance, warning against further neglect of vulnerable populations for political gains.
As Delhi grapples with its waste crisis, this verdict underscores the need for accountable governance. Successful enforcement could prevent disease outbreaks and restore dignity to forgotten corners of the city.