The national Capital has adopted an environment-friendly way to dispose of its green waste and dead animals, simultaneously.
Delhi’s first green waste processing plant-cum-dog crematorium is being set up in Dwarka that will only use horticultural waste as fuel and thus serve the twin purpose of ridding the city of green waste and dead animals.
An initiative of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), the dog crematorium is likely to become operational by this year end. The civic body has called for Expression of Interest (EoI) for setting up the facility. Officials said the city does not have a crematorium for animals which is a major cause of pollution and foul smell in Delhi.
SDMC Commissioner Manish Gupta said 1.5 acres of land has been allotted by the Delhi Development Authority for the purpose in Dwarka. He said the green waste processing unit will compress horticultural waste like fallen leaves, foliage and plant residue into pellets. These pellets will be burnt in an underground furnace that will be used to cremate dead animals, particularly dogs, from all across the city.
“The crematorium will use fuel generated from green waste and hence will be smoke-free. The furnace will be such that the suspended particulates will not enter the air and pollute the environment. The experts will ensure this, as suspended particulate matter is hazardous to public health,” Gupta said.
Officials said the city generates around 100 tonnes of horticultural waste per day. “The green waste collected will be compressed and dried with hot air. Dried waste will be converted into cylindrical logs and used in a furnace made of iron to cremate dogs, cats and monkeys. The furnace will be designed in such a way that the carbon dioxide generated in the process will be released in the air through a chimney,” officials said.
The crematorium will come as a big respite to Delhiites as dead animals are dumped in the open or at garbage dumping sites by sanitation workers. This not only leads to a foul smell but also poses a grave risk to public health.
“A scientific and environment-friendly way to cremate dead animals is the need of the hour. We will rope in an NGO to operate the crematorium, for which assistance will be provided by the civic body. The waste processing unit cum crematorium will cost approximately `30 lakh,” Gupta said, adding more such facilities could be set up given the low operation and maintenance cost.
As per initial plans the SDMC will cremate dead animals found at dumps for free but may charge a paltry sum to cremate pets. “People can call us if their pet has died. The staff at the crematorium will pick up the dead animal. The owners will only have to pay a meager sum for this service,” he added.