Aafrin Kidwai 
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recently visited the landfill sites at Ghazipur, Okhla, and Bhalswa to assess the progress of waste remediation and disposal efforts. The Lt. Governor expressed satisfaction with the increased pace of bio-remediation and solid waste disposal since his first visit in May 2022. According to the LG secretariat, the average remediation and disposal increased from 1.41 lakh MT/month in May 2022 to 6 lakh MT/month by October 2022. After engaging new concessionaires in November 2022, the pace further improved, with current numbers projecting remediation at 30,000 MT/day and 9 lakh MT/month soon.
In compliance with an order from the National Green Tribunal, a Solid Waste Monitoring Committee headed by the Lt. Governor was formed, and an Action Plan for Solid Waste Management in Delhi was prepared. The MCD officials informed LG Saxena about the MCD’s efforts in processing legacy waste at the three dumpsites. The total legacy waste at the dumpsites reduced from 229.1 Lakh MT in June 2022 to 154.9 MT, a decrease of 74.2 Lakh MT (32.38%) within a year. The MCD has set a target to complete the bio-remediation of all the legacy waste by May 2024.
The progress of bio-remediation at the Bhalswa landfill site was 111% of the target for the quarter between February 2023 and May 2023, while Okhla and Ghazipur achieved 88% and 34% respectively during the same period. The Delhi Governor instructed that the targets be met expeditiously, with Okhla expected to be completed by the end of June 2023 and Ghazipur within the next three months.
To aid in waste segregation, 80 Trommeling Machines with enhanced capacity are currently operating at the three landfill sites, an increase from 12 machines in June 2022. Additionally, a unique Trommeling Machine has been installed at the Okhla site, capable of converting 1500 MT per day of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste into inert material. Control and Command Centers have been established at the landfill sites for real-time monitoring of bio-remediation and waste disposal, and GPS mechanisms have been fitted in transportation trucks. The Lt. Governor has ordered daily monitoring of the bio-remediation process at all three landfill sites, reports news agency ANI.
