Construction waste not being treated by GHMC

Hyderabad: For four years, the GHMC has not constructed plants to deal with the construction and demolition (C&D) waste that the city generates, thereby impacting the environment. The C&D waste after treatment can be used in place of sand, which will prevent digging up of water bodies. The GHMC says 10 per cent, or 450 metric tonnes of the 4,500 metric tonnes of garbage that the city generates every day comprises C&D waste. 

In November 2016, the Centre for Fly Ash Research And Management (C-FARM), New Delhi, in association with the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), pegged the quantum of construction debris generated in the city daily at 750 tonnes.The C&D waste is dumped in water bodies and the road sides, and costs the GHMC Rs 10 crore per annum to clear it. The corporation currently has no means to recycle this waste.

The government recently issued orders to use rock sand and river sand in 50:50 ratio in all infrastructure projects. Sources said if the C&D plants were constructed, building waste could be converted into manufactured sand and used for projects without having to dig it up. The GHMC could also sell it. The GHMC has instructed builders not to dump C&D waste indiscriminately. It has accorded permission to Ramky Enviro Engineers to collect, transport, process and manage C&D waste.

A GHMC official said that since C&D treatment plants were yet to be set up, Ramky Enviro Engineers was dumping it in the Jawaharnagar yard. He said that the GHMC had been paying a tipping fee for unclaimed waste. He said work on the C&D plants would begin in November, the delay was due to procurement of imported equipment. So far the GHMC has only identified sites at Fathullahguda and Jeedimetla to build the plants.

The agreement with Ramky Enviro Engineers is for 25 years at a tipping fee of Rs 342 per metric tonnes with an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore as tipping fee per year for each of the treatment plants when they come up. Interestingly, GHMC officials have made several presentations on solid-waste management programmes across the country and received awards.