Chandigarh, December 24, 2024: The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has approved two critical projects aimed at improving the city’s solid and liquid waste management systems.
The initiatives include a horticulture waste processing plant in Industrial Area Phase-2 and a sewerage treatment plant (STP) in Faidan village, with a combined cost of ₹11 crore.
The upcoming horticulture waste processing plant, estimated at ₹4 crore, will utilize biofuel briquetting technology to process 60 tonnes per day (TPD) of leftover garden waste and dry leaves. Presently, the city processes 12 TPD at its existing facility and 32 TPD across 104 compost pits in parks.
“The new plant will efficiently handle leftover waste by segregating impurities, screening dust, and compacting material into biofuel bricks,” an MC official explained.
For liquid waste management, the MC approved a ₹7-crore project to construct a new STP for Faidan village, situated on the Chandigarh-Punjab border.
Currently, wastewater from the densely populated village flows untreated into N-choe, ultimately polluting the Ghaggar River. The STP will address this gap, but the MC awaits approval for land transfer from the Chandigarh administration at no cost.
“The STP is a crucial step to align with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines and improve wastewater treatment,” the official added.
Meanwhile, Mayor Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor reflected on his tenure as he chaired what could be his final meeting before elections, traditionally held in January.
“This may be my last house meeting. I thank all councillors and officers for their unwavering support throughout the year,” he said.
Dhalor, who assumed office on February 20, 2024, following a Supreme Court ruling, may see AAP propose extending the tenure to a full year, delaying elections until February.
In another development, AAP and Congress councillors staged a protest against the Chandigarh administration’s power privatization decision.
They argued the move would lead to “manifold increases” in electricity rates, undermining their manifesto promises of free electricity. Interestingly, BJP councillors refrained from joining the protest.
