SHILLONG, March 28: The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) has entered into an agreement with Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited (DCBL) for disposing of the organic rejects from the compost plant at Marten in its cement plant at Lumshnong, East Jaintia Hills.
“We have signed an agreement with DCBL for disposing of the organic rejects. We will be sending the organic rejects from Marten for co-processing in the cement plant,” SMB Executive Engineer, FB Chyne said after inspecting Marten with members of the Seng Samla Mawlai Pyllun here on Monday.
He further said they will fill up the sanitary landfill site with the waste from the compost plant along with other rejects which cannot be further used.
“We are committed to further improving the condition of Marten. We are trying our best to reduce problems like the foul smell emitting from this place. We have a dedicated team at the site to look after Marten,” he said.
Informing that the compost plant has already been commissioned, Chyne said waste collected from the city will be processed and the biodegradable waste will be processed into compost while organic rejects or waste will be taken out.
He further said that they have set up two leachate treatment plants and both are fully functional.
“The water that seeps through the garbage will be treated in the tank of the treatment plant and once it is treated it will be let off into the environment again,” Chyne said.
A wall has been constructed alongside GS Road to prevent outflow of waste.
SSMP president Samuel Biam expressed satisfaction over the development that has taken place at Marten compared to last year.
“We are happy with the efforts of the SMB to improve the condition of Marten. We have witnessed that the compost plant is fully functional,” he said.
The SSMP, it may be reminded, had locked the gates of Marten last year to prevent trucks from dumping garbage at the landfill site.
It was this action by the SSMP that woke up the government and the SMB from their slumber and forced them to initiate steps to improve the condition of Marten.