Chandigarh: The municipal corporation (MC) is set to develop a new dedicated sanitary landfill (SLF) site to dump inert waste — the residual material left after processing municipal solid waste. The proposed project is aimed at ensuring scientific disposal in accordance with solid waste management rules and maintaining environmental safeguards. Estimated at around Rs 14 crore, the civic body has decided to seek full funding from the central govt, and the process for obtaining this support has already started. The planned capacity of the new SLF site is approximately 1 lakh tonnes.The new landfill is proposed on nearly 8 acres of land reclaimed through the removal of legacy waste at the existing Daddumajra dumpsite. The MC has prepared the complete project case, completed all required formalities and documentation, and submitted it to the Chandigarh administration. The UT administration will forward the proposal to the central government for approval and fund release.According to sources, since the project falls under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), central funding is permissible. Given the future requirement of inert handling at Dadumajra, the proposal includes all related norms, technical requirements and funding provisions necessary for consideration.Existing SLF nearing capacity The MC currently operates an SLF on about 7 acres of land at the same site, with a storage capacity of nearly 80,000 tonnes. Constructed by the Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL) in 2023, this SLF is expected to become fully saturated in the next two to two-and-a-half years. Once it reaches capacity, the MC will require an alternative site for inert disposal.To prevent environmental violations, hazardous dumping, or legal issues related to waste management, the civic body has initiated the new SLF proposal in advance to ensure continuity in compliant waste disposal practices.Box: Inert generation and tech requirements— As per records, 5% to 10% inert waste is generated during garbage processing at Daddumajra.—300 to 400 tonnes of garbage processed daily at the site’s waste processing plant — A dedicated SLF is essential to handle the inert fraction — SLF construction includes a protective layer to prevent soil contamination — The entire process must strictly adhere to environmental and related technical norms, a senior official said.Why new SLF is crucial Because of the high volume of daily waste processing and the unavoidable generation of inert residue, the MC says a scientifically constructed SLF remains an essential requirement for the city’s waste-management system. Officials added that the technical nature of the project necessitates compliance with all environmental norms from design to construction. MSID:: 128385112 413 |
