Pune: NGT Orders Probe Into Alleged Norm Violations in Moshi Landfill Tragedy, Seeks Report in One Month

Pune, 24th July 2026: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered a separate inquiry into the July 8 Moshi landfill collapse that claimed nine lives, directing the formation of a joint committee comprising representatives of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Pune district collector. The committee has been asked to submit its report within a month.

The NGT inquiry comes in addition to the high-level probe committee already appointed by the Maharashtra government, meaning the incident will now be investigated simultaneously by two separate panels.

The collapse occurred on July 8 at the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) Moshi garbage depot, where a massive heap of waste slid onto a three-storey administrative building at the waste-to-energy (WTE) plant, killing nine workers and injuring 12 others.

The NGT’s directions came while hearing a petition alleging multiple violations in the operation of the facility. The petition claimed the administrative building had been constructed just 12 metres from the garbage mound, although it should have been at least 30 metres away as per prescribed norms. It also questioned whether the project had permission for waste-to-energy generation or for composting operations.

The petitioner further alleged that the tragedy was the result of failure to scientifically manage, stabilise and safely handle municipal solid waste, leading to the collapse of the garbage mound.

During the hearing before the NGT’s Western Zone Bench on Tuesday, the tribunal directed the three-member committee to inspect the site and submit a factual and action taken report within one month. The MPCB will act as the nodal agency for coordinating the investigation.

The tribunal has scheduled the next hearing in the matter for August 13.