Purohit makes it clear: Garbage plant will be set up in Dadumajra

CHANDIGARH: Stepping into the political slugfest over the setting up of the integrated municipal solid waste processing plant and setting aside the AAP and Congress opposition, UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit on Monday categorically said the plant will be set up in Dadumajra as per the current plan.
Any change in conditions and parameters will be taken up only at pre-bid stage of the request for proposal (RFP) already floated by the municipal corporation (MC).The mayor and councillors will be included in the pre-bid committee.
Talking to mediapersons after chairing an all-party meeting at the UT secretariat, Sector 9, Purohit said, “As per the Master Plan, Dadumajra is the designated solid waste management site. Even if we want to change the Master Plan, there is no alternative site available for the plant.”
The UT has zeroed in on the reclaimed legacy waste dumping site for the new plant at Dadumajra.
Both AAP and Congress have opposed the plant in Dadumajra and raised questions over technology and financial model of the plan.
Stating that setting up of the plant is in the larger interest of the city, Purohit said, “We cannot afford to delay it anymore. We are already too late in the matter. We have to do it fast. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directions are clear. If the NGT imposes environmental costs on the MC for more delay in setting up the plant, how will it pay such heavy penalties. Resolving the solid waste management issue was one of my top priorities since the day I took over as the administrator.”
On the opposition parties’ objections to financial and technical aspects of the project plan, Purohit said, “We opted for Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) as project consultant as it is experienced in such projects. It is associated with the Ganga cleaning project. Also, its project consultancy for the Goa waste management plan has been successful.” “The NEERI knows the requirements for an environment-friendly processing plant, and all issues in this regard will be taken care of. As all the city waste will be processed at the plant, there will be no question of dumping at the site and issues related to smell and environment.” The administrator will be directly overseeing the plant functioning.