NGT fines Karnataka Rs 2,900 crore for lapses in waste management

The NGT principal bench in New Delhi has been, for eight years, supervising compliance with earlier directions issued by The Supreme Court regarding the handling of solid waste and sewage management. In its order on Thursday, the tribunal noted that the steps taken by the Karnataka government in handling solid and liquid waste have been “inadequate”, which caused heavy damage to the Environment and public Health.

Assessing the extent of damage and estimating compensation on the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle for restoration of the environment, NGT initially estimated compensation payable at Rs 3,400 crore. But NGT chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel ordered a deduction of Rs 500 crore levied on Monday for damage to the Chandapura Lake in Electronics City, Bengaluru.