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TTZ body notice to AMC over burning of solid waste in city

Agra: Chairman of the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) authority has issued a notice to Agra municipal commission ( AMC ) over burning of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the city, poor quality of cleanliness works and inefficiency in curbing single use plastic. Municipal commissioner Arun Prakash has been given 15 days’ time to bring about improvements.



Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) is a 10,400 sq km area around the Taj Mahal which is to be kept free of pollution to protect the monument. The TTZ comprises over 40 protected monuments including three World Heritage Sites -- the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.

Earlier, following complaints of pollution, divisional commissioner Anil Kumar, who is the chairman of TTZ authority, had sent officials for spot inspection. The officials found large-scale burning of garbage, causing massive air pollution. The officials also reported that cleanliness works were not being implemented properly. They spotted piles of garbage, apparently not lifted for days, in different parts of the city.

Divisional commissioner Kumar himself conducted an inspection around Rajamandi railway station and Shastripuram locality. He found choked drains and garbage strewn all over the road. They entire area was stinking.

The TTZ chairman has now asked municipal commissioner to not only prevent dust from blowing in the air but ensure total ban on burning of garbage and single-use plastic.

“In case required improvements regarding points raised are not made in 15 days, then strict action will be taken under Environment Protection Act, 1986. The municipal commissioner has been directed to take strict action against those found burning garbage,” Kumar said.

In its report earlier, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) had stated that at least 50 metric tonnes of garbage is illegally dumped or burnt every day across 100 wards of the city. Burning of garbage releases harmful pollutants, including particulate matter PM 2.5 and PM 10, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, furans, carbon monoxide, benzene etc, in the air.

According to NGT orders, those burning waste will be liable to pay environmental compensation of Rs 5,000 in case of simple burning and Rs 25,000 in case of bulk burning.

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