The Deonar landfill, Mumbai's oldest, has accumulated 2 crore metric tonnes of waste over 311 acres since 1927, reaching heights comparable to a 12-story building. With 124 acres designated for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), clearing this section-containing 80 lakh metric tonnes of waste-will be a challenging task. The estimated cleanup will take 6-7 years and cost over INR 1,000 crore. The BMC plans to employ bio-mining to treat the waste. However, environmental concerns like leachate pollution and the need for clear responsibilities for containment measures add complexities, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts and substantial funding.
The Deonar dumping ground in Mumbai has been a significant site for waste disposal since 1927, making it the oldest landfill in the city. Spanning 311 acres (126 hectares), it currently holds around 2 crore metric tonnes of solid waste, which has piled up to impressive heights of up to 40 metres-similar to a 12-story building. Recently, the state government has designated 124 acres of this landfill for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) to create housing units. However, clearing this section of the landfill of its solid waste is expected to take a long time and require a considerable amount of money.
The specific area that the government has set aside for the DRP contains about 80 lakh metric tonnes of waste, making up nearly 40% of the total waste in the Deonar landfill. Clearing this waste will be a daunting task, with officials estimating that it will take at least 6 to 7 years and could cost over INR 1,000 crore. This cleanup process became more urgent following a recent court ruling that halted operations at the nearby Mulund landfill, leading to its reclamation efforts.
Since 2019-20, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been working on clearing waste from the Mulund landfill and has successfully removed approximately 37.35 lakh metric tonnes, or 53% of the total waste. However, the situation in Deonar is more challenging since it holds double the amount of waste compared to Mulund.
According to an article published by Indian Express, to manage the waste, the BMC will use bio-mining, a scientific method required by the Union ministry's guidelines. This technique involves treating waste with natural elements like air and sunlight to break it down over time, while the remaining non-biodegradable materials are either recycled or managed using artificial means. Despite its effectiveness, bio-mining is a slow process, and officials are bracing for a lengthy reclamation timeline.
The costs associated with waste removal are notable. The work order for clearing the Deonar dump was issued for INR 558.6 crore, with costs potentially rising to INR 900 per tonne if revised. Thus, the cost of removing the 80 lakh metric tonnes could exceed INR 720 crore, factoring in taxes could push this estimate over INR 1,000 crore.
Additionally, there are environmental concerns as toxic liquids, known as leachate, seep from the landfill and contaminate the nearby Vashi Creek. To address this pollution, the BMC proposed building a boundary wall to contain the leachate but faces confusion over responsibility for the construction since the land is now under state government control. Environmental clearances will be necessary, and there is currently no clear plan from the government to proceed.
The reclamation of the Deonar landfill is a daunting yet essential task for the BMC, with significant amounts of waste still present and the financial implications being considerable. Employing scientific methods like bio-mining will be critical for effective waste management. However, unresolved issues, such as environmental clearances and clarity on responsibilities for infrastructure projects, pose hurdles that must be addressed for the successful redevelopment of the site and to reduce the environmental impact on surrounding water bodies. It is crucial that stakeholders collaborate and move promptly to tackle these challenges to ensure a healthier and cleaner environment for Mumbai's residents.
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