Waste-to-power project in the offing at Nakodar

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 21

The state is all set to have its first “waste to power” project by March this year at the Sugarfed plant in Nakodar. The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting under the Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh on the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC) chairman Ajoy Sharma said, “Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) energy plants were under consideration at two more places in the state.”

Pellets for the energy plant will be provided by the A2Z Waste Management (Ludhiana) Limited. The company already has about 12,000 tonnes at its disposal, which was sufficient to commence the production exercise, sources said. The RDF consists of combustible component of the waste, including non-recyclable (not PVC) paper cardboard and labels.

The PMIDC chairman said, “We have categorically communicated to the Sugarfed that the use of the RDF has been allowed, subject to the condition that no smoke is emitted in the open air. No pollution will be allowed.”

A senior officer said, “The state produces more than 43,000 tonnes of garbage per day. However, except Bathinda, no other plant was making pellets. The quality of pellets at Bathinda was also under question. Major garbage producing places, including Amritsar, get approximately 450 tonnes per day, Bathinda about 120 tonnes, Mohali about 450 tonnes and Patiala about 220 tonnes per day. Garbage collection and treatment in major corporations, including that of Jalandhar, Amritsar, Pathankot and even Patiala, had not been resolved as yet so there was no chance of a regular supply of pellets from these places.

He said, “The big issue involved in allowing any power projects based on pellets was regular supply of fixed quantity (about 500 tonnes) daily. A majority of the Urban Local Bodies (125 out of the total 167) have a population of less than 25,000.”

Some issues unresolved

• The state produces more than 43,000 tonnes of garbage per day. However, except Bathinda, no other plant makes pellets (fuel for plant)
• An official says the quality of pellets in Bathinda is also under question. 
• Major garbage producing places, including Amritsar, get approximately 450 tonnes per day, Bathinda 120 tonnes, Mohali 450 tonnes and Patiala 220 tonnes per day