Chennai: Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has stepped up bio-mining operations at the Athipattu dumpyard in Ambattur. While 1.07 lakh tonnes of accumulated waste was cleared in Phase 1, work has begun to clear the remaining 72,000 tonnes in the next six months using scientific waste-processing methods.Bio-mining at the Athipattu dumpyard began in 2019 under the city’s legacy waste reclamation programme. The dumpsite sprawls over 12 acres, and more than 1.50 lakh tonnes of legacy waste from Ambattur and surrounding areas were dumped at the landfill.In Phase 1, 1.07 lakh tonnes of solid waste were removed through the bio-mining process at an estimated cost of 6.02 crore. “Work orders are now issued for Phase 2 to bio-mine and remove the remaining solid waste at an estimated cost of 6.94 crore, and the work is currently in progress. The project is expected to be completed within six months,” said C A Balamurali, chief engineer (solid waste management).The official added that since the civic body commenced the bio-mining process, environmental pollution in the area reduced and public welfare improved. However, the corporation is yet to finalize plans for the reclaimed land at the dumpyard. Fresh waste generated in the coming days will also be processed through bio-mining methods.Residents, however, said the slow pace of work is causing inconvenience. “The ongoing bio-mining process has triggered environmental issues such as groundwater pollution. The reclaimed land should be maintained properly and utilized for projects that benefit residents; otherwise, it may turn into a dumping ground again,” said S Jayachandran of the Union of Ambattur Residents Welfare Associations.
