Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has asked the Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) to identify an alternative landfill site for dumping city's solid waste. The city generates over 1,100 metric tonnes of solid waste daily.
The present garbage dumping yard at Bhandewadi is over-burdened. "At some point, we will need to relocate the site. Hence we have approached NMRDA to explore all possible sites," said municipal commissioner Ashwin Mudgal.
NMRDA officials told TOI that 28 sites have been shortlisted. "We have started the process of surveying the sites. Final decision will be taken after holding a meeting with concerned civic agencies and weighing pros and cons of all sites," they said.
Sources said that NMRDA officials recently visited two probable sites in Kalmeshwar and Butibori. "It is being ensured that the site is at a safe distance from human population to prevent any kind of health hazards," sources added.
TOI has been repeatedly reporting about the problems faced by residents living close to the Bhandewadi dumping yard. This year, the dumping yard caught fire two-three times, thus leading to high air pollution.
Mudgal said appropriate measures are being taken for treatment of solid waste. "After the tendering process, bio-mining will be implemented at the site," he added. Bio-mining is a process where the already dumped waste is dug up and segregated. The waste is loosened by harrowing and sprayed with composting bio cultures. Depending on its type, the waste is then sent for recycling, reusing or composting.
Apart from this, NGO Art of Living has approached NMC with a solution 'Mrudamrud' to tackle garbage problem. "The NGO claims that the solution showed positive results in Akola and Chennai. The solution promises to fasten the degradation process of organic waste, thus reducing the overall volume of waste. A demonstration was done at Bhandewadi on Friday and results will be out soon," Mudgal said.
NMC also plans to implement 'waste-to-energy' project at the site. In August, the civic body had informed the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court that it would complete the much-needed waste to energy project at Bhandewadi within two years.
Courtesy: The Times of India
