By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The construction of the sanitary landfill site at Marten, Mawiong, which has being bogged by controversies and opposition from local residents, has finally started.
The construction of the sanitary landfill is expected to be completed in eighteen months but the State Government has contemplated to the make the landfill site operational at a place close to the present dumping ground before the next Monsoon season.
Talking to The Shillong Times on Sunday, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said, “The alignment of the road besides the wall is being done.”
The project received a boost after the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests gave its go ahead to the project on November 21 last.
The project has been approved under the North East Regional Capital Cities Development Investment Programme (NERCCDIP) at a total estimated amount of Rs 3.07 crore.
According to the Minister, all the local problems have been sorted out.
The Urban Affairs department is also endorsing to integrate another eco friendly project in the marten which would enable the State to convert waste into energy,” Ampareen said, adding, “We have taken the proposal to the Central Government and they have agreed to support us in the PPP mode.”
If the proposed project is initiated then it would generate four megawatts of power.
It may be mentioned that the project had hit a stumbling block after local residents demanded shifting of the dumping ground since the State Government had planned to construct an abattoir (slaughter house) in the vicinity.
Seeking to dispel all fears regarding hygiene problems for the abattoir caused by the dumping ground, Ampareen said that the proposed landfill would ensure scientific dumping of waste and eliminate the emanating stench.
According to Lyngdoh, the proposed landfill would greatly help in scientific disposal of waste which on a daily basis averages 125 tonnes.
It is learnt that in the first phase, the project will cover an area of 6500 square metres and it has been designed to meet the standards of Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2000.