ISLAMABAD IN SEARCH OF WASTE DISPOSAL SITE SINCE 6 DECADES

* Over the past sixty years, the absence of a modern landfill has left residents vulnerable to persistent environmental dangers

* People living in I-10 and I-9 are at greater risk of exposure to noxious odors and health problems, as both sectors are located in industrial zones

* Capital Waste Management Company (CWMC) is being established with the goal of enhancing sanitation standards in the federal capital: Chairman CDA

By Mahtab Bashir

ISLAMABAD: Lalarukh, a resident of I-10, becomes frustrated by the lingering unpleasant odor that greets her every time she ascends to the rooftop in search of a breath of fresh air. She is expressing dissatisfaction with the city's industrial nature, which is causing pollution through smoke and water issues that are bothering residents. The unpleasant odour from the dumping site in sector I-11 is considered a criminal act committed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the city's sole civic agency, she maintains.

Despite paying taxes like other residents, as a housewife, I found it impossible to enjoy fresh air. The civic agency has shown clear favoritism towards the elite sectors by focusing all its development efforts on them, neglecting areas like the dumping site in I-11 sector. Lalarukh stated that this discrimination is unfair and needs to be addressed.

With the increasing global interest in using waste to produce electricity and reduce environmental pollution, the people of Islamabad, the federal capital, are facing concerns over the strong stench coming from the dumping ground at I-11. This offensive odor not only carries health hazards but also damages the city's reputation as an eco-friendly destination. Despite the city's sizable population of three million, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has faced challenges in setting up a suitable landfill or waste disposal site, worsening the problem.

File Photo: Dumping Site at I-12 

Due to the lack of attention from the CDA, Islamabad is currently lacking a proper landfill site. As a temporary solution, the civic agency has been disposing of waste in the Losar area of Rawalpindi near Chakbeli for approximately two years. The contract for this arrangement has recently been extended for an additional six months.

Every six months, CDA renews its contract with Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC). Recently, the CDA announced an extension of the contract from April 4 to October 3, 2024. As part of the agreement, the CDA will pay RWMC a tipping fee of Rs1,350 per tonne for waste management services.

The Capital Development Authority is responsible for collecting and disposing of garbage and waste from the city. Currently, they dump the collected waste at I-11 before transporting it to Losar. However, the CDA is now working on establishing a new transfer station at I-9, which will be located within the premises of the sewage treatment plant. The construction of this transfer station is expected to be completed in six months (till October, 2024).

Despite previous discussions about creating a proper "scientific landfill" site, the CDA has not followed through on these plans. Instead, they are now considering establishing a landfill site in Losar after acquiring the necessary land through the Rawalpindi administration. This new site will provide a more efficient and environmentally friendly way to manage the city's waste.

Challenges have arisen with the establishment of a landfill site in Islamabad, causing the civic agency to resort to temporary solutions. Initially, waste was being disposed of in I-12, then moved to I-11 and Sangjani, and now a new site near Rawat called Losar has been designated. However, the transition away from the I-11 and I-12 dumping site is still incomplete.

"We are currently in the process of acquiring land in Losar to establish a suitable landfill site," stated Mashooq Ali Shaikh, director sanitation MCI. He mentioned ongoing discussions with Rawalpindi authorities regarding this matter. The CDA board has granted a six-month extension to the agreement with RWMC. Previously, the CDA had suggested potential sites at Kuri and Dhoke Jando near Nicholson’s Monument. In 2018, an additional option was proposed at Sangjani, utilizing ditches created by stone crushers in the hills. However, this proposal was rejected by the environmental authorities. The lack of a proper landfill site in the capital was brought to the attention of the Islamabad High Court, leading to a directive for the CDA to address the issue.

The residents of I-11 and I-10 have expressed disappointment over the absence of a scientific landfill in the city which consists of approximately three million residents. They criticized the CDA's handling of waste management, calling it questionable. Despite assurances from both the CDA and the federal government representatives in court, no progress has been made towards developing a suitable landfill site. The accumulation of garbage not only poses a threat to the city's environment but also endangers the health of its citizens, they maintained.

"In this urban center, luxurious five-star hotels and towering skyscrapers could be constructed, however, it is puzzling to me why the CDA is neglecting this matter of public significance," Akmal, a resident of I-11 said. Additionally, in the rural areas surrounding Islamabad, individuals were indiscriminately disposing of waste in open spaces and water channels. "While this may have been a minor issue when the population of Islamabad was smaller, it has now escalated into a major concern due to rapid urbanization and expansion of the capital city. Inadequate waste management leads to water, soil, and environmental contamination, as well as the proliferation of various illnesses," he explained. "Despite its establishment in 1960, the CDA has yet to establish a modern landfill facility similar to those in other cities," he emphasized.

File Photo: Waste Disposal Site at I-11

According to an official from CDA, the civic agency annually spends more than two billion rupees on waste management. He mentioned that if a proper landfill site is established, the CDA could generate revenue by utilizing the waste for energy projects. Previously, the CDA used to dispose of solid waste in the residential area of I-12 before being directed by the court in 2022 to relocate it outside the residential zone. The court also mandated the CDA to ensure that no waste is dumped in temporary locations within residential areas since October 4, 2022.

Subsequently, the CDA temporarily moved their waste disposal operations to Losar. Earlier, the CDA had identified a potential landfill site at Kuri based on the recommendation of an international consultant. An access road was constructed leading to the site, but in a surprising turn of events in 2011, the CDA and environmental authorities decided to abandon the project. It was alleged by some officials at that time that the CDA scrapped the Kuri landfill project to please housing scheme owners. Since then, the CDA has been relocating their temporary landfill site from one location to another.

Talking to this scribe chairman CDA, Chaudhary Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that, “Capital Waste Management Company (CWMC) is being established with the goal of enhancing sanitation standards in the federal capital.” He said that following the model of Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC), CWMC will focus on managing solid waste. This specialized company will execute the integrated Solid Waste Management programs set forth by CDA.

Upon its establishment, he maintained, the company will be operational citywide, with different waste disposal categories designated throughout. Residential areas, commercial zones, households, hospitals, and green spaces will all have separate waste disposal systems. In addition to waste management, the company will also work on enhancing solid waste infrastructure, such as constructing a landfill site.

Chairman said, “Land acquisition for this purpose is already in progress. Operating the waste transfer station and establishing recycling and material recovery facilities are also within the responsibilities of Capital Waste Management Company.”