Taloja solid waste management project on the anvil

Note: Mumbai should desist from incinerator based waste treatment projects being showcased by technology vendors. The proposed project will process 2,000 tonnes of municipal wastes Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar and others.

Gopal Krishna
ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)

Green nod for Taloja waste disposal plan

Ashley D’Mello, TNN | Dec 28, 2011

MUMBAI: The State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority has cleared the Rs 150-crore regional solid waste management project planned at Taloja.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is developing the project on a public-private partnership basis and environment clearance was vital as it will deal with waste material. The project will cater to Mumbai as well as civic bodies in the region.

MMRDA chief Rahul Asthana said they are developing a green belt zone around the project to minimize dust and odour from affecting the surroundings.

While pointing out the need for having a holistic precautionary plan for the upcoming project the Additional commissioner Ashwini Bhide said they have also provided a disaster management plan for the project.

This included provision for taking care of any emergencies which might arise out of accidents and included rescue methods and medical treatments in case of accidents. Care will be taken to make the area safe for people at work,'' she said.

The solid waste management facility which is the largest in the region will have a comprehensive method of taking care of solid waste which includes almost 80 per cent of the garbage collected in the region.The disposal will also mean safe disposal on modern lines.

MMRDA officials said their site will be on lines with those in other countries in South East Asia which have sites which do not emit odour and foul gases. The plant will be a path breaking project for the state and well as the region.

The project will process over 2,000 tonnes of municipal waste per day with a capacity to handle 500 more tones per day if necessary. It will require the setting up of scientific landfill sites and will cater to the four municipal corporations of Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar and others in the region.