After considering many solutions to deal with the hazardous waste, civic officials have moved a proposal to scientifically cap one of the three hills
In the near future, there is a chance that the constant smoke-emitting Pirana landfill site could become less hazardous. If things go as per the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's (AMC) plans, then part of Pirana is likely to transform into a mountain-shaped garden. After considering many solutions to deal with the hazardous waste, civic officials have moved a proposal to scientifically cap one of the three hills.
The decision to cap the 35 meter-high garbage mound known as Ajmeri hill was taken as it is impossible to generate electricity through bio mining from legacy waste. Bio-mining for the remaining two hills is not yet finalised and a detailed project report as per guidelines of the Swachh Bharat Mission has been prepared. The state government has also announced an allocation of Rs 100 crore for this project in this fiscal.
"We will do urban forestry on one of the mounds after capping it. A proposal has been approved recently," said Mukesh Kumar, municipal commissioner, AMC.
In the past
Earlier, when D Thara was the municipal commissioner, she had proposed to cap the entire Pirana site at a cost of Rs 250 crore. However, that option was never explored and the civic body took bio-mining under consideration instead. By April 2017, four private players had shown interest in a tender bid issued by the civic body. But then, that initiative also never saw the light of day, as the investment was too much for the meager output expected.
Difference of opinion
There are some in the ruling party who aren't interested in capping.
"There are two options we are considering. Either waste to energy or to do bio-mining. We are not doing capping for sure," said Dinesh Desai, chairman of health and solid waste committee, AMC.
Earlier, ILFS had been consulted to design the garden. That plan proposed construction of a road from the top of the hill, digging of 29 bore wells and tapping of methane gas for bottling and sale.
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