KARACHI: The PC-I drafted by the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) to redesign the existing landfill site at Jam Chakro in the city on ‘scientific grounds’ aiming at using the garbage for electricity generation has been approved by the competent authority, as reported by leading English daily.
“With the approval of the PC-I, the process to further the project aiming at generating energy through treatment [of waste] is going to begin,” said an official in the board.
SSWMB managing director A.D. Sajnani confirmed that the PC-I for the project had been approved by the competent authority.
He said the PC-I for scientific improvement of the landfill sites at Gond Pass and Jam Chakro showed an estimated cost of Rs1.1 billion and required a year to complete after all the formalities, including the tendering process, got completed.
Similarly, he said, Rs1.07bn more would be required for the establishment of six garbage transfer stations (GTSs) in the city fully equipped to collect and transport it to the landfills with scientific compatibility.
The board chief announced that “the research work and feasibility regarding the Jam Chakro site has been concluded.”
Dr Sajnani said the board had done demarcation of the landfill site.
“After the site is duly constructed on scientific grounds, the waste would be recycled in accordance with the international standards,” he said.
He said the waste generated in the city could produce more than 200MW of electricity.
“We have expedited our efforts for a separate feasibility for recycling the waste produced in the city.”
According to the landmark report of the judicial commission headed by SHC judge Mohammad Iqbal Kalhoro, submitted last year to the Supreme Court in a petition about the provision of clean drinking water and sanitation situation in Sindh, it is estimated that more than 12,000 tonnes of solid waste, which includes domestic, industrial and hospital waste, is being produced in Karachi.
Officials in the provincial government had earlier admitted that just 40 percent garbage of the city was dumped in the landfill sites, and most of the remaining ended up in different drains or was burnt locally.