MMRDA plans to develop dumps outside city limits ……Sukhada Tatke
Mumbai: Even as the fate of Rs 4,500-crore plan for scientific closure of Deonar dumping ground hangs in balance, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has proposed to develop six landfill sites beyond the city limits. A proposal to this effect has been sent to eight municipal corporations for further deliberation.
The MMRDA has identified six landfill sitesKalyan Sheelphata (259 hectare), Bhiwandi-Nashik Expressway (352 hectare), Taloja (443 hectare), Ambernath (352 hectare), Airoli and Pune-Panvel Expressway (352 hectare) and has sent the proposal to the municipal corporations of Mumbai, Bhiwandi, Kalyan-Dombivli, Mira-Bhayender, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Ulhas Nagar.
According to MMRDA officials, the agency has appointed National Environmental Engineering Research Institute to carry out an environment assessment survey.
Following the survey, the agency will seek permissions from the pollution control board and the environment ministry. Tata Consultancy Services has been given the job of evaluating and recommending the right technology to be used.
We first developed a regional landfill concept wherein we decided to have the sites away from human settlements. Currently, all the dumping grounds are in the city and are posing a big problem to people, said M R Shah, principal advisor, MMRDA.
Of the 16 sites that we evaluated, we shortlisted six. The one at Airoli is already reserved as a dumping ground by the BMC, Shah said. Asked how the sites were selected, he said, The criteria were to find plots that are not near any of the water bodies, forests and do not fall in the coastal regulation zone. However, our main concern was to find sites that are not close to human settlements.
Civic chief Jairaj Phatak said that the proposal was being discussed. Transportation of garbage will be difficult, but we are giving it a thought.
(With inputs from Ashley DMello)
PROPOSED SITES
(With inputs from Ashley DMello)
PROPOSED SITES
*
Kalyan Sheelphata* Bhiwandi-Nashik Expressway
* Taloja
* Ambernath
* Pune-Panvel Expressway