Waste segregation at Wariana dump suspended due to fire

Due to the fire that broke out on the Wariana dump, the process of segregation of wet and dry waste that is going on at the dump under the biomining project was stopped for two days. On Sunday night, the dump had caught fire and 20 fire tenders were pressed into service. For two days, the smoke kept on emanating from the dump.

The much-touted bio-mining project that initiated in August last year is supposed to be completed in 32 months.

In 2017, the project was planned to manage and process the waste at Wariana dump. A detailed report of its importance was prepared too. Because of no work done, the contract of previous company was terminated last year and the garbage mound at the dump only grew bigger all this while.

The process under the project has finally been started by the new company that was given the contract.

There is 8 lakh cubic metric waste at the site and a hill-like structure of garbage oversees the city. The overflowing waste is spewing toxins into the air. People living nearby areas at the Wariana dump site are stressed and depressed. They are surviving amidst pollution and diseases.

The city generates above 450 tonne of garbage every day. Even other small dump sites are filled. To tackle the problems, the bio-mining project has been initiated under which a machine has been installed.

A resident living near Nakodar Chowk said it was sad that the project that should have got completed years ago is still under process. "The fire on the dump is not a small thing. It should be dealt with seriousness," he said.