Chandigarh, August 23: Prem Garg, the chairman of the Aam Aadmi Party’s core committee, has raised alarming concerns regarding the Dada Majra dumping ground, which he states has become a significant hazard for local residents.
During a press conference on Saturday, Garg emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are currently sitting near a toxic mountain. The air quality has deteriorated significantly, and waste has yet to be cleared. This matter is still pending in court. Unfortunately, those involved have misled the court by repeatedly filing affidavits claiming that the waste has been removed, which is not the case.”
He warned that if immediate action is not taken to normalize the current situation, it could lead to severe challenges in the future. Garg mentioned that a proposal was made to create a Detailed Project Report (DPR) at a cost of 70-75 lakh rupees, but lamented that the DPR has since been scrapped, wasting the invested funds. He called for transparency regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) plans moving forward to clarify the future course of action.
Garg explained that the waste at Dada Majra has accumulated and compacted over time, a situation referred to as “legacy waste.” A contract worth 70 crore rupees was awarded to two companies to extract this buried waste for repurposing, facilitating a smoother process ahead. However, he criticized the corporation for not appointing a supervisor to oversee the number of trucks dispatched, complicating the entire operation.
He highlighted the importance of understanding that bio-cell waste is involved in this process. The pressing question remains: where has the allocated money gone? Was it meant for the corporation or the contractor? So far, there has been no improvement in this regard. Additionally, a survey by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) revealed that 10 to 12 meters of waste is still buried. This legacy waste must be extracted; otherwise, it could produce methane gas, leading to hazardous chemical reactions due to the presence of water and other substances. Methane is a toxic gas, and if it permeates the community, the situation could worsen significantly.
Garg questioned who is responsible for this predicament, noting that the issue has been brushed aside. He warned that no construction activities can commence on this contaminated land, including the establishment of buildings or plants. He criticized repeated claims of creating cricket grounds or other facilities, questioning the effectiveness of past inaugurations by officials. “How many plants are operational now? None,” he concluded.
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