The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is reconsidering its ambitious solid waste management project in Ambernath, with plans now in jeopardy due to soaring transportation costs and strong local opposition. Initially, the project aimed to set up a waste treatment plant in Karvale village, located in Ambernath, as a long-term solution for Mumbai’s waste disposal issues. However, the escalating expense of transporting garbage from Mumbai to Ambernath has raised concerns, leading the civic body to reconsider its approach.
A senior BMC official shared that decades ago, the plan was to establish a solid waste treatment facility on a 52.10-hectare site in Ambernath. While most of the land had been acquired, only 1.5 hectares remained to be secured. However, opposition from local villagers has become a significant obstacle, pushing BMC to reassess the feasibility of the project. The opposition stems from concerns about the environmental and social impacts of such a large-scale facility in the area.bCurrently, Mumbai generates around 6,500 metric tonnes of waste daily, a reduction from 9,500 metric tonnes before 2017, thanks to improved waste segregation practices at the source. This decline in waste production has allowed the BMC to explore alternative solutions that focus on managing waste within the city limits, rather than transporting it long distances.
The BMC has also launched a debris treatment plant, which handles a significant portion of the city’s solid waste, alongside the ongoing waste-to-energy project at Deonar’s dumping ground. Moreover, the treatment plant at Kanjurmarg is now operational, further reducing the need for a new facility in Ambernath. A BMC official stated that given these developments, there might not be a pressing need for additional land in Ambernath, leading the corporation to rethink the project. While local opposition and the high transport costs play a critical role in the decision, the BMC is still weighing its options. The future of the Ambernath project remains uncertain, but as of now, the civic body is focusing on expanding its existing waste management infrastructure within the city to meet its growing demands.
