Uttarakhand’s inaugural construction and demolition waste processing facility is set to be established at Mothrowala in Dehradun, with the land secured and environmental clearance acquired for the initiative, as stated by officials from the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) on Monday.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Tanvir Marwah indicated that the pollution control board has sanctioned the location, and the tendering process is currently in progress. “The project is expected to take a minimum of four months to complete,” he remarked.
The municipal body presently collects approximately 150 metric tonnes of construction waste each month. When inquired whether the municipal corporation had designated an official dumping site for construction debris, Marwah responded that the waste is currently being disposed of at the location designated for the processing plant. “As a plant will be established there to process the debris, we are directing the waste to be dumped there,” he explained.
Officials noted that the facility, which was announced in 2024 under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), will transform construction debris into reusable materials such as bricks and blocks, with the objective of mitigating dust pollution in the city. This initiative arises amidst increasing concerns regarding the indiscriminate disposal of construction waste throughout Dehradun.
“Debris is discarded on sidewalks and streets, obstructing pathways and causing issues for pedestrians. Some of it is also thrown into drains, obstructing them ahead of the monsoon,” remarked Pooja Thakur, a resident of Yamuna Colony. Mokhampur resident Naveen Chaudhary stated, “The improper disposal of debris is also detrimental to the environment. Construction waste becomes mixed with rivers and regular refuse. It poses a threat to animals as well, as they sift through the waste in search of food.
