Leachate treatment plant dysfunctional, no soiling done
Even as over 3,000 metric tons of garbage continues to mount on the streets of the summer capital since March 5, when protests erupted against the dumping of waste at Achen, the basic point is that the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has failed in the scientific disposal of the solid waste at the sole landfill site here.
This correspondent during an on-the-spot visit of the landfill site found that two essential laid down guidelines for scientific disposal of waste –the leachate treatment and soiling –are not being adhered to. And, the officials admit it.
While the covering of dumped-waste with soil has been formally given up, the leachate treatment plant is inactive for the past five-odd months. As a result, thousands of tons of garbage lies uncovered, giving rise to nauseating stench, which is feared to fester with the rise in temperatures in the coming weeks and months.
THE SLUMBER
Official sources said since the onset of winters in 2015, the SMC stopped covering the dumped-garbage with soil while no attention was paid towards the making the leachate treatment plant functional.
Official documents reveal that in 2008, the then government, under an Asian Development Bank funded project, had started the project to “modernize and develop Achen into a scientific landfill site.” The project aimed at “bringing an end to adverse effects of adverse effect on environment and surrounding population in the Achen area.”
Till then the garbage was disposed off in unscientific manner. But with the completion of first phase of the project in December 2011, scientific disposal of waste was started, by virtue of which “soiling of waste and leachate treatment became mandatory.”
On an average the City spews some 400 metric tons of garbage, which after collection at the dumping spots, are carried to the landfill sites in tippers and compactors. But in the absence of proper disposal, the things have gone messy at the landfill site. Sources said some officials had thought that the winter months could be managed without any scientific disposal, which otherwise costs thousands every day. But the early arrival of spring with day temperatures in February breaking a record over 70 years, the plan failed.
Amid unexpected warm conditions, the nauseating stench started to emanate, something which the people living in the vicinity could not tolerate. And like the previous years, they went up in arms.
Public resentment proved a blessing in disguise for “land mafia” which is already active in the area for over a decade. They resorted to violence, while eight SMC drivers and four other staffers were wounded in the attack on the fleet ferrying garbage. Week on, lifting of garbage remains affected while police has filed a case.
OFFICIALS SHOCKED
With the National Green Tribunal keeping track of the Achen waste management, the official machinery has often been on toes.
Amid mounting garbage heaps on Srinagar roads, on March 12, Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department Vipul Pathak and SMC Commissioner Bashir Ahmed Khan visited the landfill site. But Pathak was shocked to see the mess.
He asked the SMC to “rope in the experts from reputed national institutes for any expert advice and technical hand-holding.”
Officials said he asked the SMC to “come up with short term plans and work strategically and professionally towards achieving the goal.”
The Commissioner Secretary also made specific mention of inefficient leachate treatment plant. “It needs to be upgraded so that its treatment and disposal is maintained effectively,” Pathak said.
COMMISSIONER SPEAKS
The SMC Commissioner said the soiling had been given up on “test basis.” “Soling was stopped (some three months ago) because a company was demonstrating alternative means of disposal by keeping garbage spread in vast open area where it could be subsequently segregated,” the Commissioner said.
About the dysfunctional Leachate treatment plan, he said its services remained affected due to non availability of power. “Earlier the plant would get 24 hour interrupted power from essential services line but (since last year or so) it was changed to normal line where the machine worked only when power supply was available,” Khan explained.
He, however, assured that the issue would be resolved soon. “Soiling will be done but before that the rain waters, which have accumulated there will be drained out,” the official said adding SMC has resumed ferrying garbage to Achen under police protection.
But why are SMC the convoys attacked? And who gets benefitted by keeping Srinagar hostage over garbage?
