National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled "Fire Breaks Out At ... vs Central Pollution Control Board on 12 January, 2026
Item Nos.08 and 17(i) & (ii):-
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
[Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]
Original Application No.127 of 2022(SZ)
WITH
Execution Application No.11 of 2023 (SZ) in
Original Application No.523 of 2018(PB)
WITH
Original Application No.156 of 2024 (SZ)
[Earlier O.A. No.374 of 2024 (PB)]
IN THE MATTER OF:
K.S. Mohan,
Coimbatore.
...Applicant(s)
Versus
The Corporation of Coimbatore
Represented by its Commissioner
Coimbatore and Ors.
...Respondent(s)
WITH
V. Eswaran, Coimbatore.
... Applicant(s)
Versus
The District Collector,
Coimbatore District and Anr.
...Respondent(s)
WITH
Page 1 of 5
Tribunal on its own motion SUO MOTU
based on the news item published in
'The Hindu' dated 07.04.2024, titled
"Fire breaks out at Vellalore landfill in
Coimbatore"
And
Central Pollution Control Board
Through its Member Secretary,
New Delhi and Ors.
...Respondent(s)
Date of hearing: 12.01.2026.
CORAM:
HON'BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE Dr. PRASHANT GARGAVA, EXPERT MEMBER
O.A. No.127/2022 (SZ):-
For Applicant(s): Mr. A. Yogeshwaran.
For Respondent(s): Mr. Najeeb Usman Khan for R1.
Mrs. P. Kavitha for R2.
Dr. D. Shanmuganathan for R3, R5 & R6.
Mr. S. Sai Sathya Jith for R4.
E.A. No.11/2023 (SZ):-
For Applicant(s): None.
For Respondent(s): Dr. D. Shanmuganathan for R1.
Mr. Najeeb Usman Khan for R2.
O.A. No.156/2024 (SZ):-
For Applicant(s): Suo Motu.
For Respondent(s): Mrs. Revathi Manivannan for R1.
Mr. S. Sai Sathya Jith for R2.
Mr. Najeeb Usman Khan for R3.
Dr. D. Shanmuganathan for R4.
Page 2 of 5
Officials Present: Mr. G. Elangovan, Executive Engineer.
Mr. S. Saravanan, Team Leader,
Project Management Consultant.
Dr. Boopathy, Assistant Health Officer.
ORDER
1. Pursuant to our order dated 09.12.2025, the status report dated 10.01.2026 was filed by the Commissioner - Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC).
2. On perusal of the report, it is noted that some steps have been taken to expedite the work for the bio-mining project. Fourth trommel has commenced operation on 08.12.2025 and the legacy waste processed was reported to be 34,774.5MT in the month of December 2025 against 22,395.32MT, 18,779.28MT and 28013.96MT in the month of November, October and September respectively. However, the target of 46,800MT is yet to be achieved.
3. Hence, we direct the Commissioner - CCMC to take necessary action to bridge the gap for ensuring that the timeline for completion of the project is adhered to.
4. So far as the disposal of non-segregated waste to Vellalore Compost Yard is concerned, it is reported that the open dumping of unsegregated waste is completely stopped since 22.12.2025, and all the wastes are diverted to processing facilities.
Page 3 of 55. It is further reported that, out of 36 Micro Composting Centres (MCCs), 11 are functioning as MCCs; 18 are converted to dry waste centre, e-waste centre, etc. and the remaining 7 that were closed or non-functioning have been converted to and now functioning as Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs).
6. The learned counsel appearing for the applicant would submit that, given the longer processing time and limited capacity with only 11 MCCs being functional, the additionally diverted waste cannot be processed and is being dumped unprocessed. Further, the learned counsel appearing for the applicant would also submit that the waste cannot be taken to Vellalore Compost Yard indefinitely and a decentralised system must be put in place.
7. At this stage, we direct the Central Pollution Control Board to carry out an independent technical inspection along with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to assess the ground status, adequacy and environmental compliance of the bio-mining of legacy waste dumpsite as well as the processing of fresh municipal solid waste through MRFs, MCCs and Vermi Composting Facilities.
8. The assessment of legacy waste bio-mining shall include, but not be limited to, the bio-mining methodology, machinery deployment and processing efficiency. Evaluation of the recovered fractions and their end-use/disposal must also be addressed.
9. With regards to management of fresh waste, processing facilities including MRFs, MCCs and Vermi Composting plants may Page 4 of 5 be assessed for design adequacy, capacity of utilization, operational efficiency, compost quality and their use.
10. The CPCB may also identify gaps in the current practices and plans and make recommendations for improvement, if required.
11. The TNPCB shall provide necessary assistance. The CCMC shall facilitate the site visit and provide the necessary data and information to the CPCB.
12. A detailed technical status report shall be filed by the CPCB within a period of six weeks.
13. As the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a necessary party to this proceeding, we Suo Motu implead them as additional Respondent No.7 in O.A. No.127 of 2022(SZ).
14. Let notice be issued to the newly added respondent through the Tribunal. The Registry is directed to carry out the amendment in the cause title.
15. Post the matter on 28.02.2026.
Sd/-
Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM Sd/-
Dr. Prashant Gargava, EM O.A. No.127/2022 (SZ), E.A. No.11/2023 (SZ), O.A. No.156/2024 (SZ), 12th January, 2026. AD.
Note:
The Registry is directed to communicate this order to the Member Secretary, CPCB by e-mail for compliance.Page 5 of 5