Firm shuts waste processing amid protest

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 21

Amid protests by the local residents, who were pressing for processing of complete waste, the city’s only garbage-processing plant at Dadu Majra was today shut down by Jaypee for “repairs.” The local residents said the company had on purpose closed the plant as it did not want to process the whole garbage.

Residents, along with BJP councillor Rajesh Kalia, did not let the vehicles unload the waste there. A long queue of stranded vehicles was seen there, which also led to a traffic jam there. More than 100 vehicles carrying garbage had remained stranded from morning to afternoon. 

After the company refused to take the garbage, the protesters, too, did not allow the vehicles to unload waste at the dumping ground. All vehicles were sent to its store in Industrial Area. Now, uncertainty prevails as to how these vehicles will collect garbage from Sehaj Safari Kendras tomorrow.    

The Municipal Corporation had resolved to terminate 30-year contract with Jaypee at its last House meeting. Chandigarh generates about 450 tonnes of waste daily. As per the MC, the firm takes only around 70 tonnes of garbage while the remaining is sent to the dumping ground at some distance. This leads to foul smell and diseases, which is bane of the area residents. 

Plant in-charge, Col KJS Sandhu (retd), while speaking to Chandigarh Tribune, said: “We take from 200 to 215 tonnes of garbage daily. This plant is basically meant for dry waste, which we completely take. We take wet waste which has 35 per cent moisture. We are receiving completely wet waste these days. We are already facing a loss of Rs 50 lakh per month.”

“Yesterday, the residents forcibly sent all garbage trucks to the plant, which had all sort of waste, including debris. This machine is not meant for processing all sort of waste. Thus, its blades and parts got damaged and it couldn't work today. As soon as it is repaired, we will resume processing.”