Indian Express 10.06.2010
Air Force sees ‘threat’ in new landfill near its base
Press Trust of India Tags : MCD landfill near air force station, delhi Posted: Thu Jun 10 2010, 01:20 hrs
New delhi: The Indian Air Force has strongly protested the decision of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to set up a landfill facility to dump waste at a site in Bawana-Narela, citing bird strikes and environmental threat to its adjacent station.
As the site is located only 3.5 km away from their base station, Air Force officials have argued that the foul smell and garbage at the proposed dumping site would attract birds, thereby hampering air operations.
They have registered their objections at a public hearing held recently by the Deputy Commissioner (Northwest) for the construction of solid waste management facility in the 100 acres to be developed by Delhi MSW Solutions of Hyderabad-based Ramky Group.
The MCD has purchased the land at the Bawana-Narela site for the landfill facility with a capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes per day. It is proposed to be operational by 2011 for the next 20 years as identified in Masterplan for Delhi 2021.
Yes, we have got representation from the Air Force as well as locals. We have send the details of the public hearing including their concerns to the Environment Ministry as part of the environment impact assessment for further action,” said Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCC) chairman A K Ambhast.
As per minutes of the public hearing, Wing Commander D K Singh and Sq Ldr Taranjit Singh Sethi registered their protest over the garbage site, saying it would affect air and groundwater quality posing health risk to its personnel at the base.
“The station would become inhabitable and adversely affect the flying activities due to bird strikes attracted by the garbage dump,” Sethi said. Moreover, there is a CRPF camp adjacent to the proposed site.
Noting that the dumping site would adversely affect the groundwater quality, water supply and hygiene besides causing traffic congestion, the locals including industry owners in the region have sought shifting of the site elsewhere in the NCR or outside the Capital.
‘Compost area will be fully covered’
Officials of the Delhi MSW Solutions, which is developing the site, asserted the proposed site would set up in accordance to the latest scientific and environmental norms and would be insulated from human habitation. “Compost area will be fully covered. The vehicles will be closed. Only the segregated waste will be processed in mechanic and closed way which will detract birds and animals from entering the area. The waste will be received in covered trucks, hence there will be no litter and foul smell,” company general manager Sanjiv Kumar said.
