Chandigarh's Dadumajra Dump: A Battle Against Time, Trash, and Monsoon

Chandigarh's long-standing struggle with the towering Dadumajra dump has hit another snag. The ambitious target of clearing the massive legacy waste site by October 31 has been pushed back, once again, to November 30. The culprit? The relentless monsoon rains, which have significantly hampered the waste processing operations.

The Municipal Corporation (MC) had been working tirelessly to process the staggering 7.5 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste accumulated over decades.

This monumental task involves biomining – a process that separates the waste into soil, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and inert materials. However, the consistent downpours have saturated the waste, making it impossible for machines to effectively segregate and process the material. Officials lament that the heavy rainfall not only slows down operations but also increases the moisture content, rendering the separated waste unusable for its intended purposes, especially RDF.

Originally, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had set a deadline of March 31 for the complete reclamation of the dumpsite.

This was later extended to October 31, with the MC citing the sheer volume of waste and the complexities of the biomining process. Now, facing another delay, the MC is scrambling to complete the task by the end of November, provided the weather holds.

This isn't just about dates and deadlines; it's about the health and well-being of thousands of residents living in the vicinity of Dadumajra and nearby sectors like 38 and 39.

For years, they have endured the foul stench, the constant threat of disease-carrying vectors, and the environmental degradation caused by the towering pile of garbage. The sight of the landfill, a grim monument to urban neglect, has been a source of immense frustration and despair for the community.

The current processing rate hovers around 1,000 to 1,200 metric tonnes per day when conditions are favorable.

However, during heavy rains, this figure plummets to a mere 300 to 400 metric tonnes, or even grinds to a halt. This fluctuating pace makes meeting ambitious targets incredibly challenging. The MC remains optimistic, stating that with improved weather, they are confident of adhering to the new November 30 deadline.

The city awaits with bated breath, hoping that this time, the end is truly in sight for the infamous Dadumajra dump.