done...Aurangabad: This local residents are irked over the civic body’s delay in beginning consultations to identify the steps to be taken to close the legacy dump at Naregaon/Mandki. The high court had given a time-bound directive to the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation on the issue over five months ago.In its judgement dated March 9, the high court permanently restrained the AMC from dumping at gut numbers 78 and 79 of village Mandki. The municipal body had been dumping waste at the 50-acre site for 35 years.The court had also directed the respondents in the case to ensure scientific closure of the legacy dump at Naregaon as per the timeline given by the state chief secretary in an affidavit. The court had given 12 months to the AMC for closure of the dump yard keeping in view the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2016.The court had suggested that the state government may set up a team of experts from a reputed technology institution for scientific assistance with respect to disposal of the waste dump and restoration of the land. However, in its statement to the high court bench on August 16, the AMC stated that it has not yet sought consultation on closing of the dump yard and that it has not decided the steps to restore the land to its natural state.Anil Hirde, sarpanch of Gopalpur, said the local residents will wait for another one or two months for the municipal corporation to act. “We are following up another agitation for development of Cidco’s fringe areas. So, our focus is diverted. However, we will see to it that AMC complies with the directives of the court,” he said.Satish Deokhale, another Gopalpur resident, said the villagers were continuously following up with the municipal corporation. “If it does not lift the waste withn a year’s time, they would file a contempt petition against the civic body.”

Stay updated with all the Latest Aurangabad headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.