Rs650 cr will get gas from filth

Civic officials are all set to get a Rs650 crore mop. After receiving Rs1,200 crore for the Brimstowad project from the Centre, the BMC is awaiting the Centre’s nod for a project that will tackle the city’s garbage. Part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the new project aims to generate methane gas by bio-composting garbage at the city’s dumping grounds.

The Centre is likely to fund 35 per cent (Rs227 crore) of the Rs650 crore. The BMC is keen on getting a private partner for the project. “The expression for interest is already out and we have got encouraging responses from 15 national and international firms,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner (city) RA Rajeev.

“The plant will be set up for three dumping grounds, Deonar, Kanjurmarg and Mulund, and the private partner needs to invest 50 per cent — Rs325 crore — in this project; BMC will fund the remaining 15 per cent.” The civic body is taking the help of Delhi-based Consultants ILFS Eco Mart for the project.

For making gas, the authorities are planning to partially shut down the dumping grounds at  Deonar, Mulund and Kanjurmarg. “We plan to sell the methane gas to international agencies. Even the Tata Power Company has made enquiries,” said BMC Commissioner Johny Joseph. The cost of maintaining the dumping grounds will also come down from Rs20 crore to Rs16 crore, Joseph added.

Besides, the project will look at the complete overhaul of the existing system of solid waste management.