Assam: Tinsukia becomes first in Northeast to eradicate legacy waste through bio-mining
In a landmark project funded by Oil India Limited's CSR fund, Tinsukia district in Assam has become the first in North East to eradicate legacy waste using bio-mining. Over 1.53 lakh MT of waste has been treated, freeing up 30 acres of land for development.
- Mar 22, 2024,
- Updated Mar 22, 2024, 1:50 PM IST
Assam's Tinsukia district has become North East’s first to eradicate legacy waste via bio-mining. In 2023, Tinsukia District Administration in coordination with five Municipal Boards in the district viz Tinsukia, Doomdooma, Digboi, Margherita & Makum Municipal Board had started this ambitious initiative of making the district legacy waste free.
Taking to 'X', Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on March 22 wrote, "Contributing to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji’s Mission LiFE, Tinsukia has become North East’s first district to eradicate legacy waste through bio-mining. 1.53 lakh MT of waste has been treated, freeing up 30+ acres of land for developmental projects".
The project, supported by Oil India Limited's CSR fund, has treated 1.53 lakh MT of waste, liberating over 30 acres of land for development.
The initiative, which has been a source of distress for locals due to the area's foul smell, was launched with the bio-mining of Legacy Waste of Tinsukia and Makum Municipal Board. Since its inception, 75,000 MT of waste has been treated at the Tingrai, Tinsukia dumpsite.
Additionally, 18,000 MT, 25,000 MT, and 30,000 MT of waste have been treated in Doomdooma Municipal Board, Digboi, and Margherita respectively. The project demonstrates the Assam government's commitment to its Green Agenda, in accordance with guidelines set by the NGT.
The agency responsible for the project's execution across all ULBs is M/s Call And Fix. Tinsukia District Commissioner, Sri Swapneel Paul, stated that the combined waste treatment at all sites has reclaimed over 80 Bighas of land near the district's Urban Centres, which can now be used for development.
He also noted that an MOU was signed with Dalmia Cement, where Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) produced during the process is sent to cement factories for use. This initiative has positioned Tinsukia as a model district in land reclamation through the biomining of legacy wastes.