13-05-2025
Bio mining resumes in Kodungaiyur after a delay; GCC to expedite work
Chennai Corporation has resumed bio mining at Kodungaiyur dump yard and hopes to complete the work ahead of the scheduled target of February 2027.
'On May 12, permanent power supply was established to run packages 4 and 6 of the bio mining project in Kodungaiyur. The remaining four packages are expected to receive electrical connections by May 20. We will expedite the work,' said Chennai Corporation Commissioner. The bio mining project is a major initiative aimed at the scientific processing and reclamation of the long-standing waste dump located at Kodungaiyur, which spans over approximately 250 acres. For over four decades, wastes from Zones 1 to 8 of the city has been deposited at this site. 'The total waste to be processed is 66,52,506 tonnes and so far 11,06,521 tonnes have been processed,' said an official.
The work is divided into six packages handled by three concessionaires Zigma Global Environ Solutions for packages 1, 4, and 6, Ramky Infrastructure Ltd. for packages 2 and 5 and Ascent-e-Digital Solutions for package 3. In view of the summer season, combustible materials pose a fire hazard. A 24x7 water tanker with sprayer has been stationed at each package. The GCC has also stationed two water lorries having a capacity of nine KL to handle the emergency situation. A water sump with a 1.5 lakh litre capacity is also available on-site at the dumpyard. Instructions have been issued to Package 3 concessionaire to hand over at least two acre of reclaimed land by June 30, 2025 for tree planting initiatives. A mega camp for rag pickers was conducted on April 26 to assist with obtaining Aadhaar cards, ration cards, voter IDs, other mandatory documents and tenement allotments for those without housing. The GCC will provide employment opportunities based on educational qualifications, aiming to uplift their living standards.
A letter of acceptance has been issued to Delhi MSW to install an Integrated Waste Processing Facility at the site. The installation timeline is three years. The planned facility capacities include waste to energy plant with a capacity of 2100 MT, bio-CNG plant 550 MT, material recovery facility 1200 MT and compost plant 1100 MT. A total of 4950 MT of fresh waste per day will be processed in the future. A sanitary landfill is also proposed as part of this integrated setup to manage future fresh waste sustainably, said an official.
