Discussions are underway among Guwahati Smart City Ltd, Guwahati Municipal Corporation and the Centre to resolve the garbage dumping location issue and secure the funds
The revival of Smart City projects in Guwahati was expected when Guwahati Smart City Limited (GSCL) was allocated around ₹145 crore under the Smart City Mission 2.0. However, the approval of these funds by the Centre has encountered a roadblock because the city's garbage dumping area is located near an eco-sensitive zone.
ALSO READ: Assam Fishery Department Awaits Policy Update To Boost Production
A source in Dispur, speaking to GPlus on the condition of anonymity, said, “The Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs has not approved the funds yet because the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) did not meet certain criteria.” One of the key criteria is that the dumping ground should not be near an eco-sensitive zone.
To promote the reuse and recycling of waste generated in urban areas, the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs announced in March 2024 that 18 cities would receive ₹1,496 crore as part of the CITIIS (City Investments to Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain) 2.0 challenge.
The selected cities include Agartala, Agra, Bareilly, Belagavi, Bilaspur, Guwahati, Jabalpur, Jaipur, Madurai, Muzaffarpur, New Town Kolkata, Panaji, Rajkot, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Thanjavur, Udaipur, and Ujjain. While many cities have already received the funds, Guwahati is still awaiting its share, said the source.
There are ongoing discussions between GSCL, the urban local body, and the Centre to resolve the issue and secure the funds, the source added.
A GSCL source told GPlus, “Under CITIIS 2.0, cities will implement projects promoting a circular solid waste management economy over the next four years.” The source confirmed that GSCL will work with the GMC to implement the project, for which the Centre will allocate approximately ₹145 crore.
The GMC plans to invest the funds in around six projects focused on integrated solid waste management. These projects include:
- Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) cum compost plant (₹50 crore)
- Construction and demolition-based processing plant (₹15 crore)
- Refuse transport station cum material recovery facility (₹18 crore)
- Boom barriers in Guwahati rivers (₹10 crore)
- Vehicle tracking and management system (₹8 crore)
- Human resource management system (₹2 crore)
Additionally, some budget will be allocated for communication and awareness, a GMC source said.
A 150-tonne capacity RDF-cum-compost plant has already been constructed in Belortal and is currently undergoing a trial run. The new RDF compost plant under CITIIS 2.0 will have a capacity of 200 tonnes and will be built in Belortal. It will produce RDF and manure, which will be utilised in industries like cement.
For the first time in Guwahati, the ₹15 crore construction and demolition-based processing plant will recycle construction waste and produce other materials, such as blocks. However, the land for the plant has yet to be identified.
The refuse transport station-cum-material recovery facility will collect and recycle refuse materials. The station is most likely to be located at Odalbakhra, according to the GMC source.
The ₹10 crore allocated for boom barriers in the Bharalu and Bahini rivers will install barriers where garbage will be automatically collected. The GMC has already placed barriers in the Bharalu River, but garbage collection is currently done manually.
The GMC is also planning to implement a smart, tech-savvy garbage collection vehicle tracking and management system. “It will be an app-based mechanism, connecting residents and all vehicles involved in garbage collection,” a GMC source explained. Residents will be able to track garbage collection vehicles and report delays. The system will also track vehicles transporting waste to Belortal, helping monitor private parties involved in the work.
Additionally, the GMC plans to develop a human resource management system (Rs2 crore) to manage and train both GMC officials and private hires.
The GMC has already outlined the plans for the above-mentioned projects. Once the GSCL receives the funds from the Centre, work will begin, the GMC source confirmed.
But the question remains: When will the GMC receive the funds?