The long pending project of setting up a plant for construction and demolition waste by Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) will turn into reality soon.
In order to find a solution to the problems posed by construction and demolition (C&D) waste, the civil work to setup of the C&D waste recycling plant in Shivalli is almost over. Now officials of HDMC’s Solid Waste Management (SWM) department are busy preparing the tender process to procure the required machines.
Santosh, environment engineer at HDMC, said that in the year 2016-17 the estimation was made to for setup a C&D plant with a capacity of 50 tonnes. “But now we feel it is not viable. Hence we planned to increase the capacity to 150 tonnes per day (TPD). We are now calling for a Project Management Consultancy (PMC). Aafter engaging them, a detailed project report will be prepared, based on which the tender will be floated. At least six months is required for the entire process,” he added.
The plant is being set up by utilising funds granted by the mines and geology department. At present, construction and demolition waste is dumped adjacent to the garbage dumping yards of HDMC. Such waste is also dumped at extension areas, and it creates more trouble when left unattended on the roadside.
Several tonnes of C&D waste is generated in the twin cities every day. The new plant will have a facility to convert building waste into pavers, bricks, m-sand and other material.
According to HDMC sources, pavers, bricks and m-sand can be produced by recycling the building waste. But, officials are also focusing on directly selling the building waste aggregates, which are in good demand as raw material for construction and other works. This would also bring revenue for the civic body.
Sources said measures are being taken to make the plant ready by this year’s end. Collection points will be identified across the twin cities, where citizens can handover C&D waste to the HDMC. There would also be an option for citizens to transport the waste to the plant at Shivalli on their own too, sources added.
