The 10 ton-per day solid waste-management plant in Jowai is likely to become functional by the end of this year.
This was informed by the State government in the Meghalaya High Court today during hearing of a PIL filed by Synjuk Ki Waheh Shnong Jowai.
Additional Advocate-General K Khan told the court that there is no delay in the project and that the waste disposal unit would be functional by the end of this year or, at the latest, within a week thereafter.
Earlier reports filed by the State government before the High Court also indicated that the waste disposal unit would be ready by the end of this calendar year.
During today’s hearing, the division bench of the High Court said that the Jowai Municipal Board, which has been somewhat lacking in its performance, should ensure that the schedule submitted in the court is strictly adhered to and waste is collected both from residential and commercial units till such time that the waste disposal unit is commissioned.
The High Court also asked the State government to also ensure that the Jowai Municipal Board adheres to the schedule and that there is no piling up of garbage or waste at any place in Jowai, till such time that the waste disposal unit is commissioned.
“Once the relevant unit becomes functional, the State, in conjunction with the Jowai Municipal Board, will work out modalities for waste from different parts of the Jowai town to be reached to the unit and places where local residents and commercial entities may dump their waste for such waste to be ferried to the disposal unit. Such a plan should be chalked out in the course of the next month so that it can be implemented from day one of the commissioning of the unit,” the High Court said.
Observing that the PIL filed in public interest, appeared to have worked itself out, the High Court also today disposed of the petition. However, the court said that the petitioner or any other person affected may approach the court if there is any deficiency on the part of the Jowai Municipal Board.
