Coimbatore: The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has postponed a hearing on a petition against a new biogas plant at the Vellalore dump yard to December 9. The delay came after lawyers for the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation requested additional time to prepare, reports The New Indian Express.
The legal challenge was filed by K.S. Mohan, who serves as the Secretary of the Kurichi-Vellalore Pollution Prevention Action Committee. The petition contends that the planned facility will exacerbate the severe environmental problems already plaguing the area.
The complaint highlights that approximately 300 acres of land at the Vellalore site are covered in old, accumulated waste. It further alleges that the city corporation continues to dump 1,000 to 1,100 tonnes of new garbage at the site every day without removing the existing piles.
Despite these ongoing issues and claims that mixed waste is often dumped in the open, the corporation has moved forward with a ₹69.20 crore project to produce biogas from biodegradable waste. The project, which involves private companies, was officially launched by Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru on August 24.
Local residents fear the new plant will lead to stronger foul smells, increased health risks, and greater pollution. After their concerns were reportedly not addressed during a meeting with the Minister, they decided to pursue the matter legally through the NGT.
