Centre’s grant at stake,govt to expedite work

The project ran into controversy after concerns were raised on the impact it would have on the village site,which has the oldest mother tree of the Dashehari variety and is considered to be the original source of the famous Dashehari mango.

Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Prashant Trivedi and officials of the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam,which is the nodal agency for the project,on Tuesday claimed the project will have no harmful effect on the environment or the mango trees.

Adding that the project has already been delayed by one and half years,officials said there is no alternative site that fulfills the required norms.

“The development of the solid waste processing plant and landfill site on the land earmarked near Dashehari village will not affect the environment. On the contrary,it will generate carbon dioxide that will enhance plant growth and yield,” said P K Bhukesh,Director,Construction and Design Services,Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam.

The cost of the project is Rs 42.92 crore and 88.40 acre land in Dashehari village will be acquired for it. The Centre will pay 50 per cent of the project cost,towards which it has already released the initial grant of Rs 10 crore. “If the project is not started by December and the amount is left unutilised,the Centre will take the money back and may stop any further release of the grant,” said Bhukesh.

Following a directive from the state Environment Committee,the Jal Nigam will now conduct a fresh survey of the project site within the next three days to identify the mango trees. The area reportedly has over 2,200 mango trees. “We will ensure the orientation of the structures in such a way that these trees are not cut,” said Bhukesh,adding that only the old and non-productive trees would be felled.

“We are waiting for environmental clearance,which is likely to come in a week. From the date on which we get the possession of land,the project will be completed in eight months,” said Bhukesh. The government has already selected Jyoti Buildtech to set up the project and operate it.

“In the landfill design,every precaution has been taken to avoid leakage of leachate and uncontrolled escape of landfill gases. Excess methane gas would be flared. Therefore,there is no danger from the construction of landfill site at Dashehari village,” Bhukesh said. The Divisional Commissioner has directed the Jal Nigam to make a presentation of the project before the Lucknow Municipal Commissioner and assure him that the project will not affect the environment. Even as the nodal agency and the operator have signed the project agreement,the Municipal Commissioner is yet to give his assent.