The city of Ludhiana is struggling to manage its horticultural waste, with approximately 10-15 metric tons of waste generated daily. The Municipal Corporation (MC) has been trying to tackle the issue with the help of shredders, but it’s not enough. To address this problem, the MC has decided to hire a private contractor to implement an integrated waste management system for mixed horticultural waste and convert organic waste into biofuel.
The project aims to convert horticultural waste, coconut waste, and cow dung into valuable biofuel, reducing the burden on landfill sites. The selected contractor will be responsible for establishing, operating, and maintaining a 15 TPD horticulture waste processing plant, which will utilize eco-friendly technology to process both wet and dry waste. The plant will operate 24/7, and the contractor will be provided with vehicles for collecting waste from households and other sources.
The collected waste will be converted into briquettes, pellets, or other suitable products, and the contractor must ensure that all waste treatment and disposal activities adhere to environmental safety standards. The MC plans to launch a service for city residents to collect waste from households, which will help reduce the amount of waste being burned in the open, a practice that pollutes the environment.
However, an MC official expressed concern about the severe staff shortage in the civic body, particularly in the horticultural branch and field staff. This shortage has led to the decision to hire a private firm to handle the waste management, allowing the MC to focus on other tasks. The absence of proper management has resulted in frequent burning of dry leaves and trash, despite a provision for penalties on defaulters.
The MC has floated tenders for the project, and the selected contractor will be responsible for ensuring that the waste management system is efficient and environmentally friendly. The project is an initiative to address the challenges of horticultural waste management in Ludhiana and promote sustainable waste management practices. With the implementation of this project, the city hopes to reduce its environmental pollution and create a cleaner and healthier environment for its residents.