Waste processing: Wait for new technology gets longer

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 29

The issue of bringing new technology to the waste dumping ground in Sector 25 continues to hang fire as the MC House today deferred the agenda in this regard.

Rather than approving a technology, councillors resolved to visit more processing plants to explore more tech. Earlier, an MC team, comprising the Mayor, councillors and officers, could take out only two days in a month to visit Delhi and Ambala. Now, it has decided to devote more time to it. “We are also planning a visit to more sites in Nashik or Pune,” said Mayor Ravi Kant Sharma in the House.

“Only 25 metric tonnes of waste is being processed at the plant. Why are we delaying new technology? We supported you (the ruling BJP) and visited the plant in Ambala. However, the plant was not efficient. You have failed to provide relief to people from the rising mountain of garbage,” said Leader of the Opposition Devinder Singh Babla in the House.

Councillor Arun Sood said: “The existing plant was set up by the Congress. We are taking time to ensure that we do not repeat the mistake committed by your party.”

The delay in deciding new technology or outsourcing the work has made the life of people living near the dumping ground hell.

Last year, the IIT-Roorkee conducted an inspection at the plant and found that all machines had already completed their lifespan. It recommended setting up a modern plant for the treatment of the dry and wet waste.