While the expected completion date of the Solid Waste Management Centre at Tuirial in Mizoram was February 17, 2019, the project is only 73 pc completed as of now.
According to reports, the delays have been caused due to negligence on the part of the contractor, V Lalbiakzama, who asked for a four-month extension on February 17, 2019.
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But with the extension date being over on June 17, 2019, the contractor has requested to extend the completion date for more 45 days.
“The contractor, who is allegedly handling additional work other than the waste management centre project in Tuirial, has displayed lack of effort and will for timely completion of the waste management project,” said sources.
The contractor has already received Rs 24 crore out of the total sanctioned amount of Rs 30.58 crore for the project.
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The contract agreement for construction of New Engineered Sanitary Landfill, which is a major component of the waste management centre, was signed in July, 2016.
A media report on October 31, 2016, said Tuirial dumping ground is planned to be closed by 2018 as the New Engineered Sanitary Landfill, which is under construction, would replace the Tuirial dumping ground.
Another news report on February 5, 2017 stated that efforts were being taken to complete the waste resource centre as quickly as possible so that the Tuirial dumping ground can be closed down.
According to the report, SIPMIU project director Vanlalbuanga had told the SIPMIU members and MJA officials, who went to the SIPMIU site, that the Sewerage Network and Treatment Plant was expected to be completed by December, 2017.
Apart from the New Engineered Sanitary Landfill, other components of the waste management centre include Vermi Compost Plant for generating 22 tons of manure per day from collected garbage, compost pit building, mechanical compost plant, curing machine, solid waste management centre and others.
The waste management project after completion will be looked after by the contractor in-charge for two years after which it will be handed over to the Aizawl Municipal Corporation.
According to a study titled ‘Towards a sustainable smart city: The case of Aizawl’ by Benjamin L Saitluanga, the amount of solid waste generated in Aizawl city is estimated at 160 MT per day. Of this, 38 per cent is biodegradable or wet waste, while 39 per cent is recyclable or dry waste.
The remaining waste is inert ash and debris. The per capita waste generation is 495 grams per day per person.