MC plans new horticulture waste processing plant

Chandigarh: The municipal corporation is set to establish, operate, and maintain a new horticulture waste processing plant with a capacity of 60 tons per day (TPD) to manage the city's growing horticulture waste. This initiative is in addition to the operation and maintenance of the existing plant and includes the eventual handover of the entire facility to the MC upon completion of the contract.

A detailed agenda item regarding the project is scheduled for discussion and approval of the request for proposal (RFP) during the upcoming monthly general house meeting on Monday.

According to the agenda, "The MC has various green zones that collectively generate approximately 60 MT of horticulture waste daily, which can rise to 120 during peak seasons like autumn." This waste primarily includes dry leaves, cut grass, garden waste from parks and households, palm leaves, and pruning waste.

At present, the city operates a 30 TPD horticulture waste processing plant near 3 BRD, Chandigarh, which functions in two shifts and is limited to processing pruned branches up to 6 inches in girth. However, with the increasing volume and variety of horticulture waste, the existing capacity is no longer sufficient.

To address this, the MC has identified a 3-acre land parcel for the establishment of the new 60 TPD plant. The corporation will be responsible for transporting and delivering the horticulture waste to the designated site. The new facility will also ensure segregation of mixed municipal solid waste and construction and demolition debris, enabling the treatment of horticulture waste into useful by-products.

Contract Details

As per the proposed contract, the selected contractor will begin operations from the date of issuance of the letter of acceptance (LOA). The contract will be valid for a period of 7 years, extendable by up to three additional years on a yearly basis, subject to satisfactory performance.

The contractor is required to establish the 60 TPD plant within four months from the LOA date. A one-month trial run will follow the plant's completion, during which the MC will evaluate the performance. MC commissioner holds the authority to renew the contract annually for up to three years based on service quality.