BMC to spend Rs 23.38 crore to turn Mumbai's dry waste sorting centres into resource recovery centres

The old dry waste sorting centres operating in Mumbai will now be turned into modern "resource recovery centres". A major project costing Rs 23.38 crore has been taken up for this.

RITES Limited has been appointed technical consultant for the technical planning, monitoring and execution of the whole project. A proposal to pay the firm a fee of Rs 92.57 lakh has been placed before the Standing Committee of the municipal corporation for approval.

RITES Limited was chosen from the corporation's panel of reputed consultancy firms. A committee headed by an Additional Commissioner examined the options on technical capability, sustainability, efficiency and economic model, and made the recommendation. RITES Limited has since inspected the site and prepared the technical drawings, details of machinery and an estimate of costs.

Between 30 and 40 per cent of garbage is dry waste, such as plastic, paper and reusable items. Given the limitations of the existing sorting centres, the corporation will install efficient machines at five key locations and adopt a cleaner method, so that the maximum amount of material can be separated for reuse.

The quantity of waste going to dumping grounds is expected to fall considerably. The recycling chain will also be strengthened, and a route to dignified livelihoods will open for informal-sector waste pickers.

The consultant's role is not limited to drawing up plans. It will also be responsible for helping with the tender process, installing machinery, checking the quality of the actual work, testing, and training the staff concerned.

The project itself is estimated to cost about Rs 23 crore 37 lakh 76 thousand, while the consultant will be paid Rs 92,57,185. As soon as the Standing Committee gives its final approval, the tender process and the actual work will begin on a war footing.