The construction waste recovery plant in Rajarhat is nearing completion. According to a Kolkata Municipal Corporation official, the plant is expected to start its operations from April. It will have a capacity to handle 500 tonnes of waste in a day.

The plant will crush construction wastes into aggregates that can then be mixed with concrete to pave roads. Construction waste includes head break concrete blocks of pile caps and broken tiles that are not biodegradable. Instead of disposing, they can be used for paving of driveways.

According to a source in the KMC solid waste management department, a 5-acre land has been readied for installation of a mechanical plant for construction waste recovery. “We have reached the final stage of installation. From April onwards we hope to start operations,” said a civic official.

 The civic body will lift wastes from smaller housing projects and instead of dumping them in landfills, the wastes will be carried to this unit in Rajarhat. For larger projects each of which will generate 20 tonnes or more wastes in a day, will need to set up a plant at the construction site.

A KMC solid waste management department official said the decision to set up the construction waste recovery plant in Rajarhat was taken after the civic body was given 5- acre land by Hidco.

According to sources in the KMC, an agreement was inked with a private firm who would set up a construction waste recovery plant and operate it for 10 years. 

“We are banking on this project for a solution to construction waste problems. If this model becomes successful, we may need to plan another such plant in the Garden Reach area. We have started searching for suitable land for this purpose,” a KMC official said.