45-Year Toxic Dump Poisons 6,000: Fine Ineffectual

A significant environmental and health crisis persists at a 45-year-old dumping ground near Khanpur Kharar, Punjab, despite a Rs 65-lakh penalty imposed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). The financial measure, levied for violations of Solid Waste Management Rules, has proven ineffective in curbing the ongoing pollution that endangers approximately 6,000 residents in nearby Darpan City and its colonies. Persistent issues include fires emitting toxic smoke and contaminated leachate seeping into residential areas.

Official directives issued as early as August 7, 2019, for corrective measures were reportedly ignored by the Municipal Council. Internal PPCB reports from 2019 highlighted violations of siting norms, operation without authorization, and lack of groundwater monitoring. Despite civic body assurances of green belts and boundary wall construction, ground inspections revealed collapsed walls, unscientific dumping, and garbage overflow. Residents question the approval of housing projects adjacent to the long-standing dump site, citing administrative negligence.

While relocation plans to other sites have failed, the Municipal Council now states that a large portion of waste has been processed. A new high-capacity electricity connection is in place, and heavy machinery is expected to operate within one to two days. This setup aims to process 1,000 metric tonnes daily, clearing the accumulated waste in three months. Reconstruction of the damaged boundary wall is also pending tender completion, with authorities expressing confidence that these actions will resolve residents' ongoing problems.