DNA In-Depth: Solid Waste Management in city after closure of Mulund dumping ground

Mithlesh Sarougi, a resident of Kamdhenu Complex in Hari Om Nagar in Mulund (east) can now open window of her house since she shifted in this house about 14 years ago. The window is facing dumping ground which was closed on October 1.

Like Sarougi, many residents of the complex is exited and expressing their joy over decision. They say that were told in 2004 that the dumping ground would be closed in just four to five years. However, with each passing years, their hope was dying down. But, the dawn of October 1 brought a new beginning to their lives.

Fed up with unbearable stench, flies across the complex and breathing problems among children and senior citizens, many residents of Hari Om Nagar either sold out their homes or shifted to other areas in the last one decade.

Nisha Menon, another resident of Kamdhenu Complex which is nearest housing complex of the dumping ground said that monsoon is the worst season for them. "The whole campus used to cover up by flies and even snakes were found moving around it," said Menon. She added that children often fall ill and skin disease is prevalent.

The Mulund dumping ground is spread over 24 hectares of land, and it has been used since 1967. According to official from the SWM, around seven million cubic metres of waste, the height of which has reached to 30 metres, has been dumped at the site.

The dumping ground is filled with around 196 lakh MT tonnes of garbage and this will process over a period of six years," said a senior official from Solid Waste Management of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). In the first year, they will set up machinery while, the processing will start from the second year with around 11 lakh (16%) waste will be processed and subsequently, waste processing will be increased. "In the fifth and sixth year, around 123 lakh MT waste will be processed," he added. The BMC will pay around Rs 731 crore to the contractor for closing down

After closing down the Mulund dumping ground, the BMC has two ground left to dump garbage at Deonar and Kanjur.

At present, the city generates around 7200 metric tonnes (MT) of garbage daily and till Sunday, all these garbage was dumped at all three dumping yards. However, from Monday, 3500 MT garbage each is being at Kanjurmarg and Deonar dumping grounds. In addition, around 200 to 250 MT garbage is processed at local level or by housing societies and commercial units. However, the BMC will have tough time in days to come as Deonar is also reaching to saturation and a new site will be need of the hour.

Kanjur landfill: The BMC had received 141.77 hectares Kanjur plots in 2005 from the state govenment following Bombay High court order. However, of the total 141.77 ha plot, the civic body could use only 65.96 ha as remaining area fall under the CRZ and mangroves land. At present, around 3200 MT garbage is scientifically processed by bioreactor technology at Kanjur. The said project is supervised by NEERI, MPCB, MCZMA and Ministry of Environment.

Deonar landfill: Similarly, around 3500 MT of garbage is dumped at Deonar landfill per day. According to BMC, in order to prevent any environmental impact, the civic body claims that it takes a number of measures like spraying of herbal based deodorant regularly to suppress the foul smell on the surface at the time of disposal of municipal solid waste. the BMC has proposed to set up waste to energy plant having capacity of 3000 MT. Tata Consultancy Engineering has been appointed as consultant and tender process is under to find a contractor. However, the previous attempts to find a contractor did not bring result.

Future Plans: Since Mulund dumping ground has been closed and Deonar has reached to saturation, the civic body has been looking a new site. Following request, the state government allotted a plot in Taloja in Navi Mumbai. The MMRDA had also shown interest to give around 66 ha in Taloja. However, the civic body needs to acquire additional land and also rehabilitate affected villagers. In addition, the BMC has also proposed around 32.77 ha land near Airoli bridge at Mulund (east) to process municipal solid waste.