Guwahati Smart City Project: Garbage Dumping near ESZ Proves Costly

STAFF REPORTER

Guwahati: The restoration of the Smart City Project in Guwahati has hit a roadblock as the Centre has yet to approve Rs 145 crore allocated to the city for waste management under the Smart City Mission 2.0.

The delay in the release of funds is primarily due to the presence of the city’s garbage dumping site near an eco-sensitive zone, which violates key criteria set by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

An official said, “The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has not approved the funds yet because the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) did not fulfil certain criteria.”

One of the key conditions is that waste disposal sites should not be located near eco-sensitive areas. The funds are part of the Centre’s CITIES (City Investments to Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain) 2.0 challenge, announced in March 2024, under which 18 cities, including Guwahati, were selected to receive a total of Rs 1,496 crore for sustainable urban development.

While many cities have already received their share, Guwahati is still awaiting its funds. According to sources, discussions are ongoing between Guwahati Smart City Limited (GSCL), the GMC, and the Centre to resolve the issue and secure the funds. Under CITIES 2.0, cities are expected to implement projects promoting a circular economy in solid waste management over the next four years.

A GSCL source confirmed that once the funds are approved, GSCL will work with the GMC to execute six key projects aimed at integrated solid waste management.

These include refuse-derived fuel (RDF)-cum-compost plant—Rs 50 crore, construction and demolition-based processing plant—Rs 15 crore, transport station-cum-material recovery facility—Rs 18 crore, boom barriers in Guwahati rivers—Rs 10 crore, vehicle tracking and management system—Rs 8 crore, human resource management system—Rs 2 crore.

Additionally, a portion of the funds will be used for communication and awareness initiatives, a GMC official said. With pressure mounting on local authorities to resolve the issue, all eyes are now on GSCL and GMC to find a solution that meets the Centre’s criteria and unlocks the much-needed funds for Guwahati’s Smart City Project.

Also Read: Assam: Guwahati’s Smart City Project to receive Rs. 145 crore for waste management

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