The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is reconsidering its ambitious solid waste management project in Ambernath, citing rising transportation costs and increasing local opposition as major obstacles.
A senior BMC official said that decades ago, the project aimed to set up a waste treatment plant in Karvale village, Ambernath, as a long-term solution for Mumbai’s waste disposal issues. While most of the land had been acquired, only 1.5 hectares remained to be secured. However, opposition from local villagers has become a significant obstacle, pushing BMC to reconsider the feasibility of the project.
6,500 metric tonnes of waste daily in Mumbai
Mumbai currently generates approximately 6,500 metric tonnes of waste daily, a significant drop from the 9,500 metric tonnes recorded before 2017. This reduction is attributed to better waste segregation practices at the source. With less waste to manage, the BMC is exploring alternatives that focus on localized waste management solutions, potentially eliminating the need for long-distance waste transportation.
The BMC has also launched a debris treatment plant, which handles a significant portion of the city’s solid waste, alongside the ongoing waste-to-energy project at Deonar’s dumping ground. The treatment plant at Kanjurmarg is also in progress, further reducing the need for a new facility in Ambernath.
