Nagpur, India- Minister Uday Samant informed the Legislative Assembly that a proposal had been submitted to the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to eliminate the 300-meter buffer zone at the Bhandewadi Dumping Yard. This proposal, originally submitted earlier, will now be resubmitted following local representatives' requests. Minister Samant stated during Tuesday's Assembly session that further steps would be taken once NEERI's report is received.

Member Krishna Khopde raised a 'Point of Attention' in the Assembly regarding this issue. Minister Samant clarified that under the Central Government’s Solid Waste Management Manual, a 'No Development Zone' of 500 meters is mandatory around waste collection and processing sites. NEERI had recommended maintaining a safe distance of 270 to 300 meters from the dumping yard in their initial report. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation subsequently endorsed this recommendation through a resolution.

As the Bhandewadi dumping yard falls under the jurisdiction of the Nagpur Improvement Trust, Minister Samant emphasized that a new report will be requested to reassess the necessity of the buffer zone, with appropriate actions to be taken accordingly.