13 lakh metric tonnes of garbage to be cleared in less than a month, that’s the target Chandigarh’s Municipal Council (MC) is scrambling to meet. This push comes just months before the crucial Lok Sabha elections, the MC has announced a deadline of April 30 for clearing the legacy waste, aiming to address a long-standing concern in the city.
The Dadu Majra dump has been a long-standing concern for Chandigarh residents. The MC estimates 11 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of legacy waste has been removed since the implementation of the bioredemption project in 2022 and less than 2 LMT is set to be cleared by the set deadline of Apr 30, 2024. This milestone marks a crucial step towards mitigating environmental hazards and improving the overall sanitation situation in Chandigarh.
The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in June add another layer to the story. Both AAP and BJP are likely to claim the credit if the dumpsite is cleared before the polls. This urgency is further fueled by the fact that the project inauguration itself took place during the tenure of a BJP mayor. Despite having a stipulated period of 43 months, the MC is pushing hard to complete the project in a shorter time frame-26-28 months- to capitalize on the pre-election window.
Mayor Kuldeep Kumar Dahlor emphasized the accelerated pace of work at the dump site. He credited the efforts of the MC for driving progress in waste management initiatives. BJP councilor Maheshinder Singh Sindhu highlighted the significant contribution of central funding to the project, underscoring the BJP’s commitment to addressing municipal challenges in Chandigarh.
The project itself is a collaborative effort. The Central Government has played a key role in funding, having approved Rs 28 crore out of the total project cost of Rs 70 crore. Additionally, Rs 11 crore from the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) has further reduced the MC’s financial burden to Rs 31 crore. However, the corporation has requested the Centre to bear this remaining cost as well.
This bioremediation process involves biomining the garbage which will produce three key products: Refuse-derived Fuel that will be used for generating electricity contributing to renewable energy initiatives, Inert material ensuring proper disposal and containment of non-biodegradable. Additionally, soil generated through the biomining process will be repurposed for agricultural use, enhancing soil quality and productivity in local fields. The establishment of a composting plant by the civic body underscores its commitment to breaking the vicious cycle of legacy waste. The corporation’s assets that all dry and wet waste generated daily in the city is being processed, with no fresh garbage being deposited at the Dadu Majra ground. This proactive approach reflects a holistic strategy aimed at achieving sustainable waste management practices in Chandigarh.
Overall, the concerted efforts of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, supported by central funding and political collaboration, signify a significant milestone in addressing the legacy waste management challenges in the city.
As the deadline for the waste removal approaches, stakeholders remain committed to achieving tangible results that will have a lasting impact on Chandigarh’s environmental sustainability and public health. Successful completion of the project will not only eliminate the environmental and health hazards associated with the Dadu Majra dump but also pave the way for a more sustainable waste management system in the city.
