SMC messes up solid waste management at Achan

Failure of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to undertake scientific disposal of solid waste of Srinagar at Achan garbage dump has pushed the summer capital on the verge of an environmental disaster.

At a time when experts have raised red flag over feasibility of much-hyped waste-to-energy project at Achan, the SMC has failed to put in place mechanism for scientific disposal of the solid waste.

On an average 400 metric tons of solid garbage is produced per day in Srinagar. Taking cognizance of unscientific methods to dispose of waste at Achan, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in January last year had directed the SMC to establish the waste-to-energy plant at the dumping spot. The power plant was scheduled to be constructed within a span of 18 months in Public–Private Partnership (PPP) mode and utilize the biomass dumped at the site to generate electricity.

Sources said due to pressure by some senior officials, SMC was all set to sign power purchase agreement with a private firm. However, SMC formed a committee after experts found that the 5 Megawatt (MW) waste-to-energy power plant was unviable due to high moisture content of garbage and exorbitant production cost.

The committee, headed by Commissioner SMC, was directed to examine the genuineness of the tariff quoted by the bidder. The committee was also mandated to look into the factor, both macro and micro, which are unique to the installation of projects, in J&K, particularly in Kashmir.

Sources said the committee in its recommendation has maintained that the waste-to-energy project is unviable and will prove to be white elephant for the state. “The Committee has recommended floating of new tenders for the project and also exploring other means to scientifically dispose of the garbage,” sources said.

On January 29, the National Green Tribunal castigated the Jammu and Kashmir government for municipal waste scattered across Srinagar and directed it to implement the directions on setting up of waste-to-energy project within a week.

According to the project proponent, the rate of power has already been fixed by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission as Rs 7.90 per unit. “Actually, SMC has failed to plead the case before the National Green Tribunal that the waste-to-energy project at Achan in unviable given high moisture content of garbage and exorbitant power purchase cost. Besides some senior officials are lobbying for waste-to-energy project to benefit a particular firm,” said an official wishing anonymity.

Noted environment and solid waste management expert, Dr SR Maley raised question marks over viability of the project. Dr Maley studied a sample of around 12,000 metric tons of waste generated in 45 days in Srinagar.

“65 percent of waste is compostable because of high moisture content. The garbage mostly comprises poultry, meat and vegetable waste which in unsuitable for burning. Just 15 percent waste comprises of dry burnable material which is not enough for running a waste to energy project,” said Dr Maley, who is an Expert Member of Inter Ministerial Task Force-IPNM-MOUD & PA Government of India.

He maintained that for waste-to-energy project, there should be around 800 metric tons garbage on an average per day. “Out of it, minimum 300 metric tons of garbage should be burnable with moisture content of less than 30 percent. Just 80 to 90 metric tons of garbage on an average per day is burnable.” said Dr Maley who is also a member of Quinquennial Review Team ICAR, Committee on waste water discharge Minister of Environment and Forest, NEERI for Management of Solid Waste problems.

“In this scenario, the bidder is at fault to assume generation of 5.00 MW exportable electricity from SMC’s dumping site at Achan. This quantity can generate only 1.52 MW exportable electricity. Therefore Capex of Rs151.00 Crore is not justifiable. The 5.00 MW plant will be waste of money if at all invested. Besides in Srinagar, moisture content in waste is more than 50 percent. Burning of green waste will produce lot of smoke and it would require additional electricity and diesel. It means, we have to put one calorie energy to generate one calorie of electricity,” he said.

Experts maintain that only bio-composting at Achan is economically and environmentally viable. “Waste-to-energy project will pollute fragile environment of Srinagar. If Government goes ahead with the project, it will be an environmental disaster for Srinagar,” they said. .

On January 4 this year, the Government accorded sanction to release Rs 1.80 crore in favour of Housing and Urban Development department for procurement of Mechanical Waste Segregator for Achan site. “But some bureaucrats are delaying release of the funds for segregator,” sources said.

They said SMC is not serious to put in place basic facilities for bio-composting. “SMC is bound to provide Waste segregator, JCBs and polythene liner to a Mumbai based firm at Achan to undertake bio-composting, but it is using dilly-dallying tactics,” sources said.

SMC Commissioner Showkat Zargar said garbage dumped at Achan is being treated by bio-stabilization. “We are committed to provide all facilities for bio-stabilization. We hope to soon receive sanction for procuring Mechanical Waste Segregator. As far as waste-to-energy project is concerned, the single firm offered high rates for power purchase, which is unaffordable for us. We have recommended retendering the project on open tariff basis,” Zargar said.

Dr Maley has demonstrated at Achan garbage dump that 70 percent problem of Solid Waste Management in Srinagar can be solved by composting and treatment in a bio-reactor. “The gas produced by composting or bio-reactor can be used for generating electricity to just host area, Achan,” he added.