BMC approves Kanjurmarg landfill project

As per the Municipal Solid Waste Management rules,2000,garbage will be treated,but not haphazardly dumped at this plant using Bio reactor technology. The plan will be implemented on 65 hectares of land and will treat 4,000 metric tonnes of garbage at the cost of more than Rs 4487 crore for the next 25 years. The scientific disposal of waste will help BMC earn Rs 40 crore from 11 lakh carbon credits in the international market till 2012.

The Kanjurmarg site was originally a salt pan land that was handed over to the corporation after a Supreme Court directive in 2005. However,half of the land was in Coastal Regulation Zone that prevented any kind of development. In March,the Centre finally gave clearance for setting up the sanitary land fill on 80 hectares of land that falls in the non-CRZ area. The Bombay High Court is yet to give its verdict on the development of 80 hectares of land that has mangroves.

Committee members said that residents had opposed the plan to set up a dumping ground at Kanjurmarg due to pre-conceived notions that it would result in stench and diseases. “The BMC should take all the residents in confidence that the plant is a scientific sanitary landfill and it would not not result in stench,” said MNS leader Rajendra Lad.

NCP leader Niyaz Wanu said if the committee is allowing the creation of Kanjurmarg dumping ground,it should also permit partial closure of Deonar dumping ground and provide relief to the residents in the surrounding areas. According to them,they have been demanding the closure of Deonar dumping ground for the last 10 years.

“There would be a wrong signal that as Deonar has Muslim population around it,the BMC is delaying the closure plan and showing quick efficiency for residents of Kanjurmarg,” he alleged.

The Standing Committee members have now agreed to re-open and consider Deonar proposal that would cost around Rs 3495 crore. This will benefit 25 lakh people who demand its closure as they are affected by the pollution caused by the unregulated dumping at Deonar. Currently,70% of the 10,000 tonnes of garbage generated in Mumbai is dumped at Deonar while the remaining 3,000 tonne is dumped at Mulund.