Delay in Sonari Marine Drive Waste Clearance Adds to Public Woes
Key Points:
- 4.62 acres of land identified in Betakocha for waste disposal
- Waste from Mango Municipal Corporation to be managed at new site
- Agency fails to clear Sonari dump yard within the deadline
JAMSHEDPUR – The Mango Municipal Corporation has identified land for waste disposal in Betakocha. The site spans 4.62 acres at Plot No. 633 under Thana No. 1142, Khata No. 125. Of this, one acre will be utilized for immediate waste disposal. The identification process was completed under the direction of DC Ananya Mittal. Following site inspections and record verification, Mango Circle Officer Brajesh Srivastava submitted the report to the Additional Deputy Commissioner.
Currently, waste from the Mango Municipal Corporation is being dumped at the Sonari dumping yard, which has already reached its capacity.
Delay in Sonari Waste Clearance
In contrast, the clearance of accumulated waste at the Sonari Marine Drive dumping yard has stalled. The contract with Pune-based Guru Ramdas Construction Company, tasked with bio-mining and resource recovery, expired in February 2024. Despite receiving an extension and payment of ₹2 crore, the agency has failed to clear approximately 48,000 metric tons of waste.
The agreement, signed on August 2, 2023, required the complete removal of waste by February 2024. However, the work remains incomplete, and delays have disrupted waste management efforts in the city.
Public Health Concerns Grow
Residents near the Sonari Marine Drive dump yard are grappling with recurring fires caused by unmanaged waste. Though rain on Monday extinguished the latest fire, frequent incidents have made living conditions unbearable. The toxic smoke and foul smell have led to severe discomfort for locals.
Former Minister Banna Gupta had assured action, but little relief has reached the affected residents. Now, MLA Saryu Roy has raised the issue, but tangible solutions remain elusive.
Rising Waste Volumes
Every day, around 150-200 tons of wet, dry, chemical, medical, and e-waste from Mango Municipal Corporation and Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) are dumped at Sonari. The growing waste pile continues to create environmental and health hazards, despite public outcry.
The identification of a new disposal site in Betakocha is seen as a crucial step in addressing the city’s mounting waste crisis. However, immediate solutions are needed to clear the existing waste backlog in Sonari.
