Chandigarh: Taking a significant step towards effective waste management and environmental conservation with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art compost plant and the rejuvenated Amrit Sarovar at Dadu Majra, Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh inaugurated the plant and Amrit Sarovar in the presence of City Mayor Kuldeep Kumar, Adviser to Administrator Rajeev Verma, IAS, Secretary Local Government Nitin Kumar Yadav, IAS, and Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS, Commissioner, along with other councillors, senior officers of the civic body, and prominent residents of Chandigarh.
Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, commended the team of MC Chandigarh for the swift establishment of the compost plant within a span of five months. He further directed to expedite the clearing of legacy waste, demonstrating the commitment to maintaining a clean and sustainable environment.
He said that the inauguration of the compost plant and the Amrit Sarovar marks significant milestones in the city's journey towards sustainable waste management and environmental conservation.
The Governor said that in addition to the compost plant, MC Chandigarh is dedicated to constructing a state-of-the-art Integrated Solid Waste Management Plant, designed by the prestigious research institute NEERI. He asked the Commissioner MCC to process the tender for the plant at the earliest so that the construction will commence soon, further enhancing waste management capabilities.
City Mayor Kuldeep Kumar emphasized the commitment to development in the Dadu Majra area. He said that it is a happy moment for not only the residents of Dadumajra but also for the citizens of city beautiful that no further dumping of waste will take place in this area as all the waste will be processed scientifically. He said that the compost plant has been constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 7 crore. He announced upcoming projects, including the recarpeting of 10 kilometers of roads and the upgradation of Dadu Majra Stadium.
Recognizing the pressing issue of waste management on a national level, the Mayor said that the MC Chandigarh has actively worked to address the problem. In collaboration with the Central Pollution Control Board, the corporation commenced the bioremediation of legacy waste in October 2022, successfully clearing 11 LMT (Lakh Metric Tonnes) of legacy waste. The remaining 2 LMT is set to be cleared by 31st March 2024. However, MC Chandigarh acknowledges the need to cease waste dumping to prevent the continuation of the vicious cycle of legacy waste clearance.
The Mayor Kuldeep Dhalor further said that addressing the issue of leachate and ensuring the well-being of the community, MC Chandigarh is constructing a 400-meter wall around the dumping ground, accompanied by a continuous drain to prevent leachate from flowing onto the streets. The tender for the drain has been received, and work is expected to commence shortly. Additionally, a sanitary landfill site and a 15-feet wall have been constructed around the dumping ground in the past two years.
Municipal Commissioner Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS said that the compost plant spread over an area of 7,200 square meters, equipped with a 300 TPD windrow, is designed to handle the increasing waste generation in the city. With a commitment to providing effective waste management services and maintaining a clean and garbage-free city, MC Chandigarh has invested in this much-awaited project. The plant will cater to the processing needs of wet waste until the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plant, designed for wet waste through Bio-methanation, becomes operational, she added.