Long-pending Bhagtanwala dump site clean-up begins with bioremediation plant

The long-pending issue of waste disposal at Bhagtanwala dump site has finally moved towards resolution, with the inauguration of a bioremediation plant on Wednesday. The project was formally launched by Mayor Jatinder Singh Bhatia and AAP MLAs Inderbir Singh Nijjar (Amritsar South) in the presence of senior officials of the Municipal Corporation.

Speaking at the inauguration, MLA Nijjar said that successive governments had made promises to clear the garbage heap but failed to act. He added that the AAP government had shown the will to resolve the crisis, signing a 15-month contract with Eco-Stan Company for scientific disposal of waste at the site.

Mayor Jatinder Singh Bhatia explained that the Municipal Corporation had floated a tender worth Rs 46.34 crore for the project. After the bidding process, the work was allotted to Eco Green Stan Company at a 21 per cent lower cost, bringing the final project value to Rs 36.54 crore. He claimed that the plant will process 3,333 metric tonnes of garbage daily. A total of 11 lakh metric tonnes of waste is to be cleared under the action plan, which will be monitored through daily and monthly reports.

Mayor Bhatia said that many residents had doubted whether the heaps of waste could ever be removed, but with the start of operations today, that perception would change. He added that the project would be monitored with online weighing and electronic balancing systems, while CCTV cameras would track the entire process. The company has been directed to follow all norms laid down under the Solid Waste Management Rules.

The Mayor further informed that from October 1, the Municipal Corporation has also signed a contract for door-to-door garbage collection in the city. This service will be launched soon. After resolving the garbage crisis, the Corporation will give priority to addressing drinking water and sewerage issues.

Deputy Mayor Tarunbir Singh Candy, District President (Urban) Prabhbir Singh Brar, District General Secretary Mukhwinder Singh Virdi, Chairman Baljit Singh Rinku and several councillors and local leaders were present at the event along with Municipal Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill and Additional Commissioner Surinder Singh.