The Times of India 02.08.2010
MC to appoint expert to assess plant's working
CHANDIGARH: To verify the claims of the management of Dadumajra-based garbage processing plant that their unit has been functioning well and processing entire garbage from within the city, the municipal corporation has decided to appoint a technical expert.
The corporation officials have found these contentions of the plant management in variance with their findings regarding functioning of the plant from time to time. Inquiries by TOI have revealed that on July 5, civic body officials received a letter from the plant management, Jai Parkash Associates, which stated, “The plant is now complete in itself and all machinery has been installed as per contractual documents. The plant is fully functional, operational and processing entire garbage of the city as per contractual documents, prescribed pollution norms, and the Municipal Solid Waste (management & handling) Rules, 2000.”
While admitting that they were going to engage a technical expert to verify claims of the plant management, MC’s medical officer of health (MoH), G Diwan, said, “As the municipal corporation has no expertise in the technology/ machinery of garbage processing plant. Hence, to verify the claim of fully functional plant i.e. technology/ installation of machinery/ functioning of the garbage processing plant, a technical expert in the field of functioning of such plants in India is required to be engaged who can also suggest future course of action.” The garbage processing plant in Dadumajra was commissioned under the build own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis in 2008. Under this arrangement, 10 acres was leased out to M/s Jai Prakash Associates Ltd. for setting up the plant at their own cost and also to operate the same for 30 years.
But ever since its inception, the plant has been mired in one controversy or the another. First, it ran into trouble when a number of councillors alleged that the plant management had not installed all relevant machineries there to make it fully functional. Then, the plant was criticized for burning carcasses, resulting in emanating of unbearable foul stench at all times. In a meeting called by the UT environment secretary on June 22 this year, which was attended by the plant management and MC officials, the plant management agreed to install all machinery and equipments within three months as suggested by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee.
The issue to appoint a technical expert to judge the claims of plant management is scheduled to be tabled and discussed for approval before the general house of civic body on Friday.
The corporation officials have found these contentions of the plant management in variance with their findings regarding functioning of the plant from time to time. Inquiries by TOI have revealed that on July 5, civic body officials received a letter from the plant management, Jai Parkash Associates, which stated, “The plant is now complete in itself and all machinery has been installed as per contractual documents. The plant is fully functional, operational and processing entire garbage of the city as per contractual documents, prescribed pollution norms, and the Municipal Solid Waste (management & handling) Rules, 2000.”
While admitting that they were going to engage a technical expert to verify claims of the plant management, MC’s medical officer of health (MoH), G Diwan, said, “As the municipal corporation has no expertise in the technology/ machinery of garbage processing plant. Hence, to verify the claim of fully functional plant i.e. technology/ installation of machinery/ functioning of the garbage processing plant, a technical expert in the field of functioning of such plants in India is required to be engaged who can also suggest future course of action.” The garbage processing plant in Dadumajra was commissioned under the build own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis in 2008. Under this arrangement, 10 acres was leased out to M/s Jai Prakash Associates Ltd. for setting up the plant at their own cost and also to operate the same for 30 years.
But ever since its inception, the plant has been mired in one controversy or the another. First, it ran into trouble when a number of councillors alleged that the plant management had not installed all relevant machineries there to make it fully functional. Then, the plant was criticized for burning carcasses, resulting in emanating of unbearable foul stench at all times. In a meeting called by the UT environment secretary on June 22 this year, which was attended by the plant management and MC officials, the plant management agreed to install all machinery and equipments within three months as suggested by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee.
The issue to appoint a technical expert to judge the claims of plant management is scheduled to be tabled and discussed for approval before the general house of civic body on Friday.
