Mulund dump closure cost doubles

Mumbai: With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) deciding to accept contractors’ demand for processing entire 70 lakh metric tonnes of waste, the cost of scientific closure of Mulund dumping ground has doubled. The civic body will now spend Rs 630 crore to close the second largest dumping ground in the city.

Every day about 60,000 metric tonnes of garbage is dumped at Mulund dumping ground. Currently, there is around 70 lakh metric tonnes of garbage, with its height as high as 36 metres, at the dump. The civic body earlier had decided to allot the contract for processing 30 lakh metric tonnes of waste at the cost of Rs 270 crore, with the fear that contractors will not be able to process the huge amount of waste.

But with no response from contractors, the BMC again issued tenders. The civic body received only one bid for the project. In the second round of tendering, the contractors insisted on 100 percent processing of waste to make the project financially feasible. However, the three firms, which had responded to the bids, were disqualified due to the discrepancy in their experience and technology proposed by them.

Failing to select the contractor, the BMC finally decided to hire a consultant M/s Mitcon Consultancy and Engineers Services Limited at the cost of Rs 5.45 crore. The firm will work as an advisor to the civic body and help it to secure various clearances and permissions, manage, guide and scrutinise contractors bidding to process the waste. Four hectares will be given inside the dumping ground to set up a waste processing plant.

“The BMC initially had decided to allot the contract for processing half the garbage quantity at the cost of Rs 270 crore. But with contractors insisting on 100 percent processing of waste, the project cost has been now revised to Rs 630 crore for processing entire 70 lakh metric tonnes of waste,” said additional municipal commissioner Vijay Singhal.

Once the contractor is given work for the scientific waste processing, the dumping of garbage will be stopped at Mulund. The civic body has also decided to use 15 hectares of land in Taloja for Mulund garbage. The inert, which will be left after processing the waste at Mulund, will be deposited in Taloja, said a senior civic official.

According to the Bombay high court order, from June 30, the BMC will not be allowed to dump 5,200 metric tonnes of waste daily at its two main dumping sites – Deonar and Mulund. However, civic officials are likely to submit an affidavit seeking an extension from the court.

Dumpyard overburdened

• The city produces about 10,000 metric tonne waste every day. There are three dumping grounds – Deonar, Mulund and Kanjurmarg – all located in eastern suburbs.
• The BMC is dumping 2500 MT of garbage at Kanjurmarg dumping ground and processing it.
• With the capacity of Mulund and Deonar dump sites overburdened, the civic body is looking for alternate sites to tackle the garbage menace.
• The BMC is in the process of acquiring 52.10 hectares of land at Taloja from the state government to process the waste. Of this, 38.87 hectares belonged to the state government, whereas 12.20 hectares is a private land.
• The stage government has also handed over an area of 32.77 hectares near Airoli bridge to BMC for a dumping site.
• The BMC had previously closed down two dump-yards– Gorai and Chicholi in western suburbs.